Green light for new Deeside Mcdonald’s restaurant despite concerns over litter

Flintshire County Council has approved a fast food chain’s plan to convert a former Pizza Hut in Deeside into a new McDonald’s restaurant, despite concerns over litter.

As first reported by Deeside.com,, McDonald’s proposed refurbishment plans for the Pizza Hut site at Deeside Retail Park on Evans Way in Shotton.

The plans include repainting windows, door frames, cladding, and introducing new architectural elements. They also involve significant structural changes, such as the removal of existing doorways and the addition of new doors, windows, and walls, designed to maintain a cohesive look with the existing structure.

Additionally, the plan introduces three new cycle racks and patio furniture, signaling an enhanced focus on sustainability and outdoor dining.

The new McDonald’s is expected to create approximately 120 jobs, providing a substantial boost to local employment.

The Pizza Hut at Deeside Retail Park had been serving customers for nearly two decades before ceasing operations at the end of October, attributed by Pizza Hut to an “ever-shifting consumer landscape.”

The closure was followed by a swift de-branding of the restaurant, clearing the way for the next occupant.

Several key issues were considered by the planning officer ahead of giving approval, including local planning policy, the area’s character, resident amenities, and highway impact.

The primary concern revolves around the new development’s alignment with existing planning policies, including sustainable development in the region. The council also considered the potential change in visual appearance and impact on adjoining residents’ amenities.

Additionally, the development’s effect on the local highway, with potential changes in traffic patterns and increased congestion, was examined.

While the project promises economic benefits for the retail park, it has also raised concerns among local residents and officials.

Shotton Town Council voiced concerns regarding potential increases in litter issues and environmental impact. They have requested operating hours alignment with those of the previous Pizza Hut to mitigate noise pollution.

In a submission to Flintshire Council, Shotton Town Council Clerk, Mrs. Collette Lowry, wrote: “We wish to object to this application as members believe the establishment will generate substantial litter issues…” The council also expressed concerns about the unspecified hours of operation for the business.

A Chester Road East resident raised concerns over potential increases in traffic, noise, and anti-social behavior.

In a submission during the consultation period the resident wrote: “The application does not refer to any opening times which can only mean with 30 full time employee and 40 part time employees that the site plans to run 24 hours unless a condition is added to restrict this to 10pm as per the previous business hours.”

“Customers leaving the business on foot in the early hours will undoubtedly disrupt the houses opposite.”

“The number of cars entering the site late at night will increase and some of these cars will sit with their engines running in the winter months and music on in the summer months.”

“You only have to look at every other McDonalds in any residential area to see the correlation between noisy cars, large groups of 17-30 year old’s congregating within the vicinity of the boundary application.”

“All of this leads to an increase in anti-social behaviour in the local area and stress for the residents opposite the I have not seen any plans or countermeasures for takeaway waste included in the application.”

“The waste packaging produced by the site and deposited by customers will spread at least 300m in each direction with no litter bins on the main road on the same side as the planning application.”

“What duty of care will be place on the applicant to ensure this does not lead to a litter problem in the area.”

“Visitors arriving by car and taking food away will cause littering further away and will impact the towns of Connah’s Quay and Queensferry.“

“There needs to be a condition in place to track this litter with vehicle registrations recorded on the packaging.”

The Council’s decision to grant planning permission was influenced by policies under the Flintshire Local Development Plan, focusing on sustainable development, transportation, economic development, and environmental impact.

Planning officer Nicola Drury said: “…the proposals are compliant with [policies within the] Flintshire Local Development Plan and are acceptable to the visual amenity of the immediate and wider area. The proposals do not have an adverse impact upon Highway Safety…”

A spokesperson from McDonald’s stated the new restaurant will open in “Spring 2024 bringing significant investment to the local area as well as 120 new full and part-time jobs.”