McDonald's is 'last thing' posh Surrey town wants, claim residents

McDonalds have plans to take on a vacant former restaurant site in Cobham

Residents living near a proposed new McDonald's site in a posh village have voiced their opposition to the plans - saying the fast-food chain is "the last thing Surrey needs".

McDonald's has unveiled plans to take over the former Loch Fyne restaurant on Portsmouth Road, Cobham. However, locals are not happy about it and would rather see the space transformed into a community hub. The currently vacant Locally Listed Building has fallen into disrepair. McDonald's argues that establishing a branch in Cobham would "bring it back into active use as a restaurant to ensure its long-term viability."

Despite Cobham being recently named one of Surrey's most affluent communities, residents opposing the plans point out that the Northfield Estate, where the restaurant is proposed, is one of the county's lowest socio-economic areas. Locals have expressed "concerned" about the potential impact a fast food restaurant could have on people's social, mental and emotional wellbeing. A petition has been started, calling for a rethink of the plans, reports Surrey Live.

"The area needs a community hub, promoting social, mental and emotional wellbeing for residents, McDonald's is the direct contrast of that," reads the petition. It also highlights that 'the Northfield Estate is the lowest socio economic demographic in Cobham, and one of the lowest in Surrey. The petition cites research showing a strong link between obesity and deprivation.

However, McDonald's claims that feedback has been relatively balanced, with some welcoming the prospect of new job opportunities. Local residents are uneasy about the site's proximity to schools and the heavy foot traffic of students on a daily basis. Many of the 391 individuals who signed the petition are concerned that the restaurant - accommodating 60 diners and providing parking for 33 cars - could significantly increase congestion in an already busy area.

The Portsmouth Road site is near the roundabout and Sainsbury's petrol station, shortly before the road leads on to the A3. The petition says: "The Painshill roundabout is already extremely busy, with queues forming regularly to enter or leave Cobham; additionally it can be challenging to enter or leave the petrol station."

One person wrote: "The last thing Surrey needs is another McDonald's." Another added: "I feel a McDonald's would be detrimental to the village of Cobham." Plans for the site, which would be the group's 15th branch in the county, are still in consultation stage ahead of being submitted to Elmbridge Borough Council for consideration.

McDonald's has said it would "sensitively restore" the disused site and create "at least 120 new jobs". The Cobham branch would also "address an identified demand". A spokesperson for McDonald's said: "We are encouraged that nearly 500 people have engaged with our consultation so far for a new McDonald's in Cobham.

"To date, we have received relatively balanced feedback in response to the proposals, with local people welcoming the creation of new job opportunities, the diversified food choice in Cobham and the sensitive restoration of the vacant and under-utilised site." You can take part in the consultation here. And see the petition here.