Decision due on Cradley Heath McDonalds plan

A final call is due to be made by councillors in Sandwell on plans to demolish a former motorbike garage to pave the way for a fast food restaurant.

Proposals put forward by McDonalds for land on St Annes Road in Cradley Heath were recommended for approval in July – but Sandwell Council’s planning committee opted to defer the scheme to conduct a site visit before making a decision.

The application has attracted opposition from local residents, who fear “significant and unwelcome” changes to the area, including the impact on the local road network, with a petition against the scheme attracting more than 500 signatures.

In their report, Sandwell’s planning officers said the council’s highways team had lodged no objection in response to residents traffic concerns.

A supporting statement from McDonalds said the site had been already been marketed for residential use by the land owner, with no sign of a viable scheme coming forward.

Lichfields have provided planning consultancy for the application, which can be viewed on Sandwell’s planning portal using reference: DC/25/71017

The scheme will come back to Sandwell’s planning committee for a final decision on Wednesday, 16 September.