A Newcastle City Councillor has urged the multi-national fast food outlet, McDonalds, to withdraw its appeal against a Council Planning Committee decision refusing permission to open up a ‘Drive-Thru’ at Kenton Bar.
Stephen Lambert, who represents the Kenton Ward on the City Council, is urging the fast food giant to ‘’think again’’ in light of objections from residents of Central grange, Kenton Bar, Montagu , The Gardens, Cheviot View, Radnor Park, Cragston park and Central Blakelaw.
Councillor Lambert, who heads up the Kenton Ward Committee, said : ‘’On behalf of local residents and schools, I urge the company to think again about establishing a fast food outlet at the top of Kenton Lane, a busy junction, which kids have to navigate every day of week to get to school. The safety of school pupils is paramount and we do need to respect the wishes of nearby residents too. Over 800 people made it blatantly clear that this was an inappropriate site to set up another restaurant and take-away.’’
‘’Many of us are not against McDonald’s operating their chain across the city, but they really do need to find another location which is not going to alienate large numbers of people. They have outlets in Kingston Park and nearby Gosforth Park which are doing well. Many families take their kids to these outlets for a weekly treat and it doesn’t impact on local residential neighbourhoods,’’ he added.
A Public meeting is to be held this week, organised by local residents and Blaklelaw Councillor, David Stockdale, to discuss the recent appeal by McDonalds.
A ‘Let’s Get Together’ meeting will also be held in Kenton on March 24 2015. One of the key items on the agenda will be the nature and process of the Appeal. The formal meeting will be chaired by Councillor Lambert, who will be joined by councillors Ged Bell and Jane Streather and residents groups such as Kenton Bar TARA and Kenton residents.