PLANS have been revealed for McDonald’s to open its FIFTH restaurant in Colchester, creating 65 new jobs.

Schroder UK Real Estate Fund has applied for planning permission to create a new fast food restaurant and drive-thru at the Turner Rise Retail Park, in Petrolea Close, Colchester.

The drive-thru would be located between PizzaHut and Go Outdoors at the retail park, which is home to a number of retail and food outlets and next door to the town’s Asda store.

About 65 new jobs would be created, whilst the public realm at the retail park will be improved as part of the plans.

Gazette:

  • Turner Rise Retail Park. Picture: From the planning application

A planning report states: “The introduction of the drive-thru restaurant responds to market research and active interest from a potential operator, which has been integrated into the site to also contribute to the improvements to public realm.

“Associated wider public realm improvements stem from a necessity to maintain the car parking numbers across the customer car park after addition of the drive-thru restaurant, but were taken as an opportunity to enhance the public realm by improving connections, permeability, soft landscaping at strategic locations along the pedestrian routes.

“The proposals will improve the pedestrian and cycle links by separation from the vehicular traffic and thus contribute to a safer vehicular circulation within the carpark with a minimal impact on car parking numbers.”

Gazette:

  • A map showing the new drive-thru McDonald's

McDonald’s already has four restaurants in the town in Colchester High Street, Cowdray Avenue, just off the A12 at junction 28 and at Tollgate in Stanway.

The application states Colchester is considered a “key location” for the firm and one where it is looking to increase its presence.

A report states: “McDonald’s has implemented a major brand refresh, both in terms of its product range and the design and fit-out of its restaurants.

"This application forms part of that overall strategy.”

Initial plans state the restaurant could have space for 164 customers and it will feature customer order displays, a children’s play area and a car park area as well as the drive-thru.

The restaurant would be built near to one of the existing entrances to the retail park, which will be revamped.

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Colchester Council will have the final say on the plans.