Residents object to McDonald's close to schools

Dozens of people have raised objections to a McDonald's application to build a new diner and drive-through in East Sussex.

The fast-food chain said if plans were approved, the business would spend millions of pounds on its new premises on Old Shoreham Road in Hove, bringing 120 full and part-time jobs.

Residents have claimed the site would be too close to three secondary schools and several primary schools, with the road junction already seeing "regular accidents".

Two existing buildings at the site would be demolished to make room for the 79-seater restaurant with 42 car parking spaces.

McDonald's said the drive-through would include a "fast forward" lane, giving customers a third booth to go to if there were any delays, to help keep traffic flowing, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The application said: "The proposed development represents a multimillion-pound investment, creating jobs both during the construction and operation phases, resulting in many associated economic benefits for the local area.

Local resident James Roberts listed traffic, nearby schools, health concerns and road accidents as reasons he objected to the proposal.

Another local, Nicola Leary, said while the "new jobs would be good for the area", she was "concerned about the potential smell and the fact it could be 24/7".

Elle De'Ath who works in the area, said: "As there are already other fast food places in the area, I don't see a problem with another."

One anonymous objector said: "I really don't think another place serving unhealthy fast foods will do anything other than have a negative impact on the health of children and adults when we should be educating children to eat healthier for obvious reasons."

No date has yet been set for Brighton & Hove City Council to discuss the proposals.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.