Plans for a new McDonald's in the Swansea valley has divided local residents. The restaurant is destined for the car park of Tesco in Pontardawe and is expected to create 120 jobs but some have argued it will negatively impact the local area.
Some residents have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the proposed restaurant, claiming the addition to the town will increase litter problems, traffic and effect young people's health due to the site's proximity to local comprehensive, Cwmtawe Community School. Other residents said they were happy about the potential investment in their hometown.
One resident commented on Facebook that although they were happy the new restaurant would create new jobs, the traffic would be "horrendous" at school pick-up times. Other residents were concerned about the potential litter in the area: "I'm all for making the area more prosperous," said a local resident, "yet the river is full enough of rubbish and cr*p without extra from McDonald's. Unless the council are giving them a clause as well, maybe to clean the river on a monthly basis?" You can get more Swansea Valley news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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Another resident also suggested that litter problems should be considered as part of the planning process and explained that although an increase in job opportunities would be beneficial for local youngsters, approval of the new restaurants should come with the condition of funding for more green spaces and towards My Green Valley- a community organisation which already works hard to reduce litter in the area.
One Pontardawe local said they "loved the way the town had grown recently" but felt unsure about the addition of a large chain restaurant to the area when there are other McDonald's restaurants in nearby towns. After listing the wave of independent businesses that have recently hit the town, the resident wrote: "I feel that Pontardawe is building back into a true wonderful community. It is vibrant right now. Powerful chains don't care about that. Do we really need the ten minute drive difference?"
One resident commented that the fast food restaurant would be bad for the environment and young people's health, with more litter, "fattening" food and traffic queues. The resident added that smaller local establishments will be unable to compete.
While other residents commented a new McDonald's would not impact existing independent businesses: "It won't take any business away from the village, the same was said when Tesco was built. The people who will go to McDonald's go the the McDonald's in Morriston now anyway, so if anything that branch will lose out. So if people think the village will lose out, in what way? Is there a fast food outlet that sell the same items as McDonald's in the village, where there is indoor and outdoor seating that is clean and modern. The answer is no."
Some people also disagreed with residents who were against the proposal, one resident said "it's bringing 120 jobs to the area, might make other companies look at investing in the area but no let's all moan about it." Another took to social media to ask people to "please wake up and see what these developments will do for this valley, in the shape of jobs and ongoing employment."
A spokesperson for McDonald's said: “Whilst we’re still in the very early stages of the application process, we’re excited by the prospect of opening a new restaurant in Pontardawe, which would create 120 full and part-time jobs for the community.”
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