Rutland locals react with fury as first-ever McDonald’s is confirmed

Rutland locals have reacted with fury after their first ever McDonald’s has been confirmed for England’s smallest county.

Councillors approved plans for the burger chain to open a branch on the outskirts of the town of Oakham, on Tuesday.

The planning application for the restaurant attracted a 50 objections, and a McFlurry of concerns the new eatery would increase anti-social behaviour.

Objections to the restaurant – that will create around 65 jobs – have continued on social media will locals saying its ‘disappointing’ and they will ‘vote out’ councillors at the next election.

Locals on social media have reacted with annoyance after the council approved the planning application

The planning application for the restaurant attracted a 50 objections, and a McFlurry of concerns the new eatery would increase anti-social behaviour

Twitter user Matt Denny said: ‘Sad day for Rutland, but oh ho hum it was always going to be passed by the council, they can’t say no.’

Red Moon said: ‘Shame of members of Rutland County Council.’

And Anna Douthwaite said: ‘Why? There are so many places selling nutritious delicious decent food & you just voted for a junk food outlet!

‘Clearly don’t care about the obesity of environmental issues. Certainly not going to listen to the people of Rutland. Disappointing but not unexpected.’ 

The planning application was recommended for approval in a report which was presented to Rutland County Council’s planning committee on Tuesday evening – with councillors eventually giving it the go-ahead after an hour’s worth of debate.

The report, which said 23 submissions had been received in support of the application, states: ‘The design and layout of the proposal is appropriate in the area.

Objections to the restaurant – that will create around 65 jobs – have continued on social media will locals saying its ‘disappointing’ and they will ‘vote out’ councillors at the next election

The planning application (pictured) was recommended for approval in a report which was presented to Rutland County Council’s planning committee on Tuesday evening

Councillors approved plans for the burger chain to open a branch on the outskirts of England’s smallest county, in the town of Oakham (pictured)

‘Natural and neutral colours and materials will be used on the building and the size and design of the building would not have an adverse impact on the surrounding area or the amenities of nearby residential properties.

‘The site represents an appropriate location for a drive-thru restaurant.’

The most high profile local objector was Emma Manners, the Duchess of Rutland complained the chain ‘does not serve local food’.

She told Good Morning Britain earlier today: ‘My issue with McDonald’s is they don’t do locally sourced food.

‘They should serve up pheasant burgers and nuggets. A pheasant is the cheapest food at all. If you bought a pheasant off me it would cost you nothing, I would give it to you.

‘If McDonald’s served pheasants I would be happy with the junk food outlet as long as they use county side people.’

The Duchess told Good Morning Britain: ‘If McDonald’s served pheasants I would be happy with the junk food outlet as long as they use county side people’

McDonald’s staged a consultation event in Oakham in May last year, which was attended by almost 400 people.

The chain’s plans to develop the ‘wasteland’ site off Lands End Way include a 6.75 metre-high sign, odour control measures, and patrols to collect litter in the local area.

The successful applicant, Martin Cuthbert, who will become the manager of the franchise, said he was ‘confident now is the right time to open a restaurant’ in Oakham, describing the fast food chain as ‘safe and family-friendly’.

Mr Cuthbert said he was expecting the restaurant to attract customers from ‘both Oakham and passing traffic – and particularly people visiting Rutland Water’.

A mother who attended a planning committee meeting on Tuesday said she opposed the plans ‘purely for who they are and what they stand for’.

But Edward Baines, the chair of Rutland County Council’s planning committee, told members of the public the issue was ‘one of land usage and not the grounds of the applicant’.