A McDonald’s restaurant could soon be serving customers around the clock if new plans are approved.
The restaurant on London Road, Hastingwood, near Harlow and the M11, is currently open from 5am to midnight under planning permission granted in 2005.
McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd has applied to Epping Forest District Council to remove these restrictions and allow 24-hour operation.
McDonald’s said the extended hours would help meet customer demand and improve business efficiency.
The restaurant is located beside the Hastingwood roundabout and close to the M11, in an area that already experiences high levels of traffic and background noise.
In planning documents, McDonald’s said many overnight customers would likely be taxi drivers, shift workers, delivery drivers and emergency service personnel.
Read more
Luigi's Italian restaurant moving to High Street as al-fresco dining to return
The 10 most booked restaurants in Essex revealed
Best takeaway in Essex revealed at prestigious national ceremony
The Essex restaurant loved by movie stars and pro-footballers
The company argued that these groups are less likely to cause anti-social behaviour or excessive noise.
The application includes a Noise Impact Assessment by Sustainable Acoustics, which concluded after an overnight survey in June that extended hours would have "no observable adverse effect" on nearby homes.
The report also recommends a Premises Noise Management Plan and an anti-social behaviour protocol to minimise any potential impact on neighbours.
McDonald’s said the proposal could create new jobs and offer more hours to existing staff, providing an economic boost to the area.
It also suggested that increased sales would benefit the wider local economy.
Savills said in its conclusion that the proposed 24-hour operation would not have an unacceptable impact on residential amenity and has asked the council to grant planning permission.
Epping Forest District Council will now consider the application as part of its planning process.
Share