MOTORISTS travelling along the A303 through Somerset will soon get another chance to stop for a McDonald’s after plans for a new restaurant and drive-thru are approved.
The American fast-food giant submitted plans in November 2021 to build a new outlet on a vacant plot within the Southfields Enterprise Park on the western edge of Ilminster.
South Somerset District Council has approved the plans, which could create up to 65 permanent jobs as well as employing local builders during the construction period.
Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, meaning the restaurant could be open for business by Christmas.
The site lies off Jordan’s Road to the west of the Southfields roundabout on the A303, between the existing Costa Coffee drive-thru outlet (which was approved in 2018) and South West Motorhomes.
Under the proposals approved by council planning officers, South West Motorhomes will expand onto the vacant plot of land to the south of Costa Coffee (Plot 2) instead of the land to the west (Plot 4) as originally intended.
Plot 2 was originally earmarked for a car repair and servicing business, but the company that had initially expressed interest changed its mind as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The wider site – which also includes a National Highways depot – is allocated for employment use within the council’s Local Plan, which is currently under review.
McDonald’s already operates two restaurants on the A303 itself in Somerset – in Sparkford and Wincanton – along with two restaurants within easy reach of the dual carriageway in Yeovil.
The two-storey Ilminster site will include 38 car parking spaces, as well as eight spaces for bicycles, two for motorcycles and four electric vehicle charging bays.
A spokesman for Quod Planning (representing the applicant) said: “The standalone unit will be of a modern design, with an outdoor seating and children’s play frame within an extended pedestrianised area.
“The restaurant will be of a modern design reflecting the latest McDonald’s branding, but also going beyond the ‘standard’ drive-thru appearance to create some synergy with the adjoining Costa scheme; in other words, it is a bespoke design response to this location.”
The new McDonald’s will be in direct competition with the Burger King restaurant and drive-thru, located at the Horton Cross services on the A358 leading to Chard.
McDonald’s opened its Wincanton branch in February 2021, just eight months after the council granted planning permission. On this basis, the new Ilminster restaurant is likely to be open by the end of the year.
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