Plans for 'fast forward lane' and new collection booth at Sunderland McDonald's outlet approved

Plans for a new drive-thu collection booth and extra storage at a Sunderland McDonald’s branch have been given the go-ahead.
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In March, Sunderland City Council’s planning department received applications for the North Moor Road McDonald’s in the Silksworth ward.

Proposals include refurbishing the restaurant to allow for additional storage to the freezer and chiller areas and changes to the drive-thru.

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A planned “fast forward lane” will also allow for customers to pull forward to another collection booth to ease traffic flow through the drive-thru lane.

McDonald’s, North Moor Road, SilksworthMcDonald’s, North Moor Road, Silksworth
McDonald’s, North Moor Road, Silksworth

Following consultation, the plans were given the go-ahead by planners on Tuesday, May 12.

A decision report reads: “In terms of visual impact, it is evident that the majority of the proposed development is relatively minor in nature and will be carried out on existing operational land.

“The proposed alterations will provide a contemporary refurbishment to the restaurant in line with the company’s branding and although elements of the work will be visible from the public realm they will be viewed within the context of the operational site and existing use.

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“In this respect there are no grounds to suggest that the development would have any undue impact on the existing character of the area or on the residential amenity of any nearby occupiers, the closest of which lie some 50m away to the south west on the opposing side of North Road.”

Earlier this month, McDonald’s announced it was to reopen a number of UK restaurants for delivery after shutting down all sites due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The move comes as a number of fast food outlets, such as KFC and Burger King, also announced phased reopenings.

Around 15 McDonald’s pilot sites in the South East are offering ‘delivery only’ services, as the company continues to seek to safely reopen restaurants.

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Safety measures for sites range from fewer people in the kitchen, reduced menus, perspex screens and protective equipment for staff to extra training on cleanliness and extra sanitising of touch points around the restaurants.

Contactless thermometers will be used, with temperatures checked on arrival at work.

From May 20, there will also be a £25 spending cap per car at McDonald’s drive-thrus with customers encouraged to pay via contactless cards.

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