For the second time, planning officers are recommending refusal for a controversial McDonald’s drive-through, that Greens have opposed.
Green Party activists and councillors have been campaigning against a proposed McDonald’s drive-through on London Rd. They have held demonstrations and submitted formal objections to set out reasons why the drive-through should be blocked.
Previously officers recommended that planning permission should be refused, largely because it is too near Lowfield School. McDonald’s then withdrew their application and resubmitted a new one for slightly different plans. Residents then had to submit new objections. Over 200 objections later, planning officers have recommended that planning permission be refused.
Nether Edge and Sharrow Green Councillor, Maroof Raouf, said,
“I really hope that McDonald’s learn from this – that putting a big drive-through take-away next to a school is not appropriate.
“As I set out in my formal objection letter in October, I raised serious concerns about the influence of fast-food marketing on young children. The daily visibility of a McDonald’s will make it much harder for parents and teachers to encourage healthy food choices.
“I also raised concerns about litter, increased traffic and road safety hazards, air pollution and the impact on local independent food businesses.
“A drive-through could have a really damaging impact on the local area, especially for people living on the street right next to it.
“I want to thank Lynsey Angell for her tireless work in drawing attention to the risks of this massive development going ahead in a sensitive area, as well as the community who showed how much they care.”
The formal decision comes to a Planning Committee on Tuesday 13th January.
Local resident and protest organiser, Lynsay Angell, added:
“I welcome the recommendation of the Planning Officers against this fast food drive-thru which the community has shown, twice in the space of a year, that they do not want or need.
“I strongly echo Councillor Raouf’s concerns about the marketing of fast food to primary school children as well the traffic congestion and litter concerns.”
References
- From Cllr Raouf’s objection
“Research consistently shows that:
- Children exposed to fast food outlets near schools are more likely to consume high-calorie, low-nutrient foods.
- Brand recognition and marketing tactics used by McDonalds are particularly effective on young children, influencing their food preferences and normalising unhealthy eating.
- Proximity to fast food is associated with increased rates of childhood obesity, which is already a growing public health crisis in the UK.”
- Sheffield Greens previously commented at: https://sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk/2025/07/14/greens-say-no-to-mcdonalds-planners-agree/
- The Planning Committee report is available at https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=9673
