Didcot McDonald's' 24-hour opening plans prompt fears

McDonald's has applied to extend its licence to serve customers from 11pm until 5am at its prospective branch in the Orchard Centre.

But Didcot town councillors said nearby homeowners would be disturbed by the extended opening hours.

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The McDonald's branch is in the Orchard Centre

McDonald's was contacted for comment but did not respond.

Councillor David Rouane said: “If it was in the middle of the Orchard Centre and people were coming into the big car park then we wouldn’t be objecting because no one lives there.

“But where it is, there are flats on the Broadway straight opposite, and they will have a stream of cars into the car park that are treating it like a drive-through.

David Rouane was concerned about the noise and commotion caused by the extended hours (Image: Contributed)

“If you live in Broadway then you are used to noise and commotion at 11pm just after closing time.

“But 24 hours would have cars coming in at 3am. We’re just concerned about the general noise.”

Councillor Chris Jennings said he was worried about delivery drivers working all hours of the night.

Chris Jennings said he was concerned about delivery drivers working all hours of the night. (Image: Chris Jennings)

He said: “The main issue is that it’s on the edge of a residential area and we are concerned with the little scooters and the delivery drivers because that is an important part of the business model these days. But it’s a noise concern in a residential area.

“It’s one of those difficult decisions. It would be nice to order a McDonald’s at three in the morning, but at the end of the day it means you will have people whizzing to collect it.

“And it won’t just bring in people from the local area. Having it open all hours will mean you have people coming from all over.

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“Delivery vehicles and things like that coming and going at various times of the day and night is going to have an impact on nearby residents’ lives.

“I have seen it in other towns when delivery drivers hang around waiting for the next job, they don’t sit inside the restaurant, they are all outside.”

Mr Jennings said there could also be a greater risk of anti-social behaviour.

He said: “It means you will have people hanging around and talking at all hours of the night

“There’s possibly a risk of anti-social behaviour. One wouldn’t want to pre-empt it, and they (McDonald’s) work very hard to make sure it doesn’t happen, but there is that possibility.”

South Oxfordshire District Council will decide on the plans at a licensing hearing next Thursday, October 19.