Plans to open a new late-night McDonalds in Llanishen have been criticised by local residents.
The new restaurant, already under construction, would remain open until 5am under the plans, which protesters have argued will not only increase congestion, but also promote unhealthy eating.
It would mean the availability of fast-food almost around the clock within two hundred yards of a local primary school.
Popular Cardiff Twitter account @ILovesTheDiff promoted the protest, sarcastically tweeting: “It’s great that obesity isn’t a concern in Wales.” The tweet was shared more than a hundred times.
Resident Peter Hunt called it “an absolute joke”, arguing that the local Llanishen chip shop would be disadvantaged by trading restrictions that would not apply to McDonald’s.
Further concerns were raised about an increase in litter and anti-social behaviour near the site.
However local resident Paul Fish, 41, has told CJS News that the fears are unfounded: “I do not see what the fuss is about.”
“For too long the people of North Cardiff have seen application after application for take aways and the like refused by Cardiff Council, which has meant missing out or having to trek down to Western Avenue or the Birchgrove Area.”
Fish added that the McDonalds would “bring jobs back to the site following the closure of the Harvester [which the McDonalds will replace]”
Cardiff Council said the matter was not a council issue but reiterated that “planning applications were considered within the laws they have to operate.”
Protesters have until 4th December to lodge a response to the proposal with the Cardiff licensing authority.
