MCDS ABANDONS DRIVE-THRU IDEA

9:23am Tuesday 16th October 2001

CAMPAIGNERS have won their fight to stop a drive-thru McDonald's being built on their doorsteps but have been warned not to crack open the champagne yet.

The fast food chain has abandoned the idea of building a drive-thru on the site of the former White Blackbird pub on London Road, Loudwater. But it would not rule out building an eat-in restaurant there.

The chain originally appealed after Wycombe District Council threw out its planning application for a drive thru. A public inquiry was due to be held in November, but residents got a letter from the council yesterday saying McDonald's had pulled out of the inquiry.

Julie Hanif, spokesman for RAM (Residents Against McDonald's), an action group formed in March to fight the plans, said: "It's fantastic news, just wonderful.

"Those late evenings protesting out in the howling wind and rain have been worthwhile. They knew they were on to a losing battle everyone should be so proud of themselves."

But Cllr Debbie Lewis (Con, Loudwater) who has backed protesting residents, has warned them not to 'crack open the champagne' just yet and said there could still be an 'eat-in' restaurant there.

She said that the classification of the site as A3 food and drink use means McDonald's could open a restaurant in the pub building without planning permission.

She added: "We should not be lulled into a false sense of security until we get some sort of confirmation from McDonald's. A small victory has been gained but we're not out of the woods just yet."

The residents' group has put in a planning application for housing on the site.

Mrs Hanif, of Birfield Road, said: "As it stands it can only be used as a food and drink premises but if it's changed it will make it easier for the owners to sell it."

A spokesman for Wycombe District Council confirmed that: "In terms of planning law McDonald's could legally open a restaurant using the existing building as it stands. They would not need planning permission unless they carried out alterations or added extensions to the property."

A spokesman for McDonald's said: "We are currently considering our options."

She added that McDonald's does not own the site but could lease the property provided necessary planning applications were approved.

She refused to comment on why the company had pulled out of the appeal.

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