Councillors have awarded planning permission for a second McDonald’s fast food outlet to be built in Cumbernauld.

The proposal, to construct the drive-through restaurant near Craiglinn Roundabout, was discussed during a session of North Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee having already received planning permission in principle.

Cumbernauld East councillor Adam Smith tabled an amendment seeking to refuse the application, citing concerns over the effect of additional traffic at a location where the roundabouts are already operating beyond capacity, but this was unsuccessful.

Council leader Jim Logue noted that the council’s transportation department had not objected to the proposals despite detailed traffic analysis.

The council received 14 representations relating to the proposal, 12 of which were objections. Two of these came from Councillor Alan Masterton and Craigmarloch Community Council. Two letters of support, which stated Cumbernauld has needed a second McDonald’s for some time, were also received.

Concerns raised by objectors included congestion, litter, over-provision of fast-food outlets, health disadvantages, sentiment that the site could be put to a use better benefiting the community, and the erosion of available greenspace.

Concerns over littering were addressed in a supporting  statement in which McDonalds committed to three litter patrols each day.

The overprovision of fast food outlets in the area is not a material planning concern, nor is the prospect of health disadvantages arising from the development. The site is near St Maurice’s High School.

One of the conditions imposed on this development is intended to protect the ecology, especially as the location is near a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.

A supporting statement submitted along with the application states “The proposal represents a multi-million-pound investment by a national operator in Cumbernauld and the restaurant is expected.to employ more than 120 full and part time staff, which McDonald’s seeks to recruit from the local area.”

Councillors voted 17-2 to approve the application, subject to a list of twelve conditions.