A protest is due to be held this evening (Tuesday 21 April) by neighbours campaigning against plans for a 24/7 McDonald’s drive-thru in Hove.
The proposal is for a fast-food diner and takeaway in Old Shoreham Road, Hove, next to the Majestic Wine shop.
One of the organisers said: “We are holding another protest rally at 6pm … With a hearing expected soon, we feel it’s important to come together again and make our concerns heard.”
Hove Against McDonald’s said on the group’s website: “It is important that this application is rejected.
“McDonald’s and their agents seem to be doing the bare minimum legally to comply with the planning application process.
“There was no consultation with the community prior to the application being lodged with the council.
“There is one small easily missed A4 notice on a lamp post adjacent to the site with details of the application and nothing else.”
The group said that many people were not consulted even though their homes would be yards from the all-night and all-day drive-thru, if approved by councillors.
This was, the groups said, partly because of the regulations about consultations on planning applications and because there was one low-level building between them and the burger bar – so that they did not share a boundary.
Two businesses are currently based at the site, Pavilion Batteries and tool hire company PR Industrial, opposite the eastern end of Hove Cemetery South.
The plot, formerly a KAP used car showroom, is between Majestic Wines and the Star Property Group. The existing buildings would all be demolished.
McDonald’s said that 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.
The company said in its application to Brighton and Hove City Council that it wanted to sell food and drink to be consumed on and off the premises. There would be 79 seats inside.
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.
“The proposed development will provide over 120 jobs for the community.”
The plans include 42 car parking spaces, including three “accessible” bays and a couple of overspill “grill” bays, with two electric vehicle charging points.
The plans also include three spaces for motorbikes and eight for bicycles as well as a couple of staff bike lockers.
One anonymous objector, whose details were redacted by the council, said: “This is on a route to school for three major secondary schools plus numerous primary schools.
“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.”
An anonymous comment in support said: “Great addition to the area! We’ve got to have jobs for local young people/students and for all the flats and developments we are building in Hove.
“It’s also tucked away on the industrial site so isn’t much of a change in regards to noise to what is already there.”
Another anonymous supporter said: “McDonald’s is a great fast food restaurant and we are sorely needing one in this area.
“They are one of the biggest companies in the world and we need a branch in this area as it will be wildly popular.”
To view the plans or comment on them, click here. The application number is BH2025/00019.
“McDonald’s and their agents seem to be doing the bare minimum legally to comply with the planning application process.”
…so they have complied with the planning application process. Bit of a undermining of their own argument?
And clearly that publicity was read by people otherwise these protests wouldn’t be happening!
Also protests don’t count as objections for planning purposes.
If you are for or against any application people must make a formal submission via the planning portal.
Indeed, and the quantity of the comments made is fairly irrelevant in an application, as detailed by the planning inspectorate in their appeal outcome letter regarding the Gasworks, but rather the quality of the comments and their grounding based on legal planning considerations.
The difference between not liking something, and it being lawfully unsound in planning law, is sometimes not well understood by people.
There have been many formal responses made on the planning page too
I’d be quite concerned about the traffic implications as this is a major route. The smell and litter impact nevermind the light and noise pollution could have adverse effects and legitimate grounds for refusal.
Absolutely, and those are very fair and reasonable concerns to express, and should be answered in their extended planning documentation.
Take lighting for example, there’s an light impact assessment on the planning portal that speaks to how that is managed and mitigated and is fairly comprehensive. It’s a good answer to a reasonable question. And a good foundation for constructive conversation and improvements to the design. https://planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk/online-applications/files/5350371FB36ABCF2A84A85959CCDE2DE/pdf/BH2025_00019-LIGHTING_IMPACT_ASSESSMENT-20787800.pdf
Clowns in charge been listening to Corporate again instead of the people they serve, they should keep that type of 24hr traffic stop to an industrial area, it is for late hrs drive through not city streets. Crossbush by Arundel is a good example of how it can be done.
Would have made more sense to stick a supermarket there and put the Maccy on the old home base end with entrance off the main road (essentially swapping them) but o well. It will be good for youth employment but the traffic might be a issue (as you sometimes have at shoreham)