VICTORY FOR COMMON SENSE!
Local residents celebrated a significant victory in the battle to stop McDonalds coming to Ash Brake.
Planning permission had been granted for the McDonalds site at the Planning Meeting on July 30th, with the Council effectively powerless to prevent the controversial plans. Whilst this was an extremely disappointing result, the extensive local campaigning had forced numerous concessions onto the plans.
Whilst all seemed lost, McDonalds realised that the concession on opening times would prevent them from opening for breakfast trade, bringing into question the finanacial viability of the plans. Due to this, they applied for a change to this concession at last nights Planning Meeting.
As with every part of this campaign, the local residents were ready to fight these negative changes to the opening hours. Local residents packed out the Council Chamber, and every opportunity was taken to speak against the proposed changes.
Speakers Against The Plans
Councillor Justin Tomlinson (Abbey Meads Councillor)
Councillor Peter Stoddart (Abbey Meads Councillor)
Councillor Owen Lister (Abbey Meads Councillor)
Brian Watts (Blunsdon Parish Council)
Tracey Goodin (McDonalds Campaign Group Co-ordinator)
Jon Booth (Ash Brake Residents Chairman)
Rachel Dawe (Local Resident)
Mick Gallimore (Local Resident)
Roger Arnold (Local Resident)
Jamie Lawrence (Local Resident)
Christine Sawyer (Local Resident)
Matthew Saxon (Local Resident)
Clive Price (Local Resident)
Following the speakers, all of the members of the Council Planning Committee voted
to reject the changes to the opening hours!
Councillor Justin Tomlinson said:
"This is fantastic news, a victory for common sense where the local residents have been rightly put first. It is not known whether McDonald's will appeal or submit another application. It may not be financially viable to open the restaurant if they are not allowed to trade at breakfast, so we will watch this situation very carefully."
"We will continue to fight any further negative amendments to the plans, it is a residential area and residents should come first."
Tracey Goodwin said:
"I am absolutely delighted, we hope this will mean McDonalds will lose interest in the site. If they wish to appeal, we will continue the battle."
Councillor Peter Stoddart said:
"This is a fantastic result for the local residents and it shows the importance of effective local campaiging."
Councillor Owen Lister said:
"These further ammendments were unreasonable for the local residents so this was the right decision."
Jon Booth said:
"I am of course delighted by this outcome, it shows how the community has pulled together and worked for the good of all residents. Our local Councillors have helped by putting their weight behind our campaign, supporting our efforts throughout. I would like to see this as this start of Ash Brake working together to improve community."
As soon as any further developments occur, we will post them on this site.