CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new McDonald’s restaurant in Southampton have bee refused.

Planning bosses have rejected the proposals for a drive-through restaurant in the former Field and Trek building on Hawkeswood Road.

As previously reported, a first planning application submitted by the giant fast food chain was withdrawn earlier this year after residents, local councillors and Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith objected to the plans.

But in September McDonald’s unveiled new proposals for the site saying the concerns previously raised had been addressed.

The final decision was delegated to council officers who listed the impact on traffic and neighbours among the reasons for the refusal.

As reported,the new plans included additional acoustic fencing and the removal of the existing on-street parking bays. Planning bosses said McDonald’s had also proposed to introduce traffic lights.

But a note published by Southampton City Council reads: “The proposed signalised junction would lead to severe obstruction to traffic flow on Bitterne Road West, a main arterial route which has been identified by Highways England as requiring major improvements to improve traffic flow.The proposed restaurant/drive thru will lead to increased opportunities for anti-social behaviour, noise and disturbance arising from the outdoor seating/play area, general comings and goings and from car parking and drive-thru activity, harmful to the residential amenities of nearby occupiers that cannot be appropriately mitigated."

David Fuller, councillor for Bitterne Park, said this is the right decision. When asked why the decision was delegated to officers rather than being discussed by councillors he said: “Based on planning law and policy the officers would recommend a refusal and this is what they did in this case. Because officers recommended for the application to be refused and that was in line with what residents wanted the decision was delegated to officers.”.

Royston Smith MP said to be relieved.

“I’m not against food outlets but increased vehicular movements in a residential area already blighted with poor air quality is unacceptable. I would like to pay tribute to the local residents who did a remarkable job in campaigning for this refusal,”he said.

As reported, the restaurant was set to create 60 jobs.

McDonald’s had previously said that comments had been taken into consideration and it was looking forward to the new opportunity.

McDonald's was approached for comment but was unable to provide one before the paper went to press.