Villagers have spoken out against proposals to open a service station and McDonald's drive-thru in their local area and what impact it could have.
Leeds-based Impero Development Management LTD had submitted plans to develop on land close to the Rocksavage Roundabout between the A557 Weston Point Expressway and Runcorn's Weaver View opposite Junction 12 of the M56. Designers of the new scheme have argued that almost 150 jobs would be created out of the fast-food chain and petrol station, Cheshire Live reports.
However, one resident of the nearby Clifton Village said they were concerned what impact the development would have on the area. The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "We are classed as a village, but with only around 40 voting residents, we are closer in size to a small hamlet.
"We are a very close community of neighbours, however, and should this application go through it will have a tremendous effect on all our lives.
"Added to our concerns for this current planning application are the obvious issues of rubbish not being able to be properly managed and contained by the proposed facilities/services on a 24/7 basis, leading to fast food wrappings and all kinds of other rubbish being left lying around and taken in the wind, further degrading our beautiful village, which is often used by ramblers and walkers, not to mention those visiting the adjacent Runcorn Rowing Club.”
Another local resident said: "We are going to be severely impacted should this application be approved, but the implications reach a far wider area than our small village. Considerations include the safety of the public using the main road and cut-through roundabout as entry and egress point to access and leave the proposed services will, for a certainty, leave vehicles in live lanes when the lights change in an already very complicated road arrangement which will disrupt everyone using Junction 12.”
A design and access statement that was submitted in support of the plans said: "The position of this site makes it a perfect choice for a roadside uses scheme, comprising a petrol filling station and fast food drive thru.”
It added: "There is increase demand for electric car charging facilities nationally, the provision of these facilities will be welcome. The design has allowed significant future expansion of this facility when network capacity can be viably increased.”
Currently, the site is partly developed as a wood yard and storage facility while the remainder is agricultural grazing land. Alongside the proposed drive-thru and service station, an ATM and electricity substation and charging for electric vehicles will be part of the development.
The plans can be viewed on the council planning portal under the reference: 23/00018/FUL
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