'We're not loving it', McDonald's neighbours say

Rachel Laidler has put up a sign complaining about damage she says has been caused to her property

A couple living next door to a new McDonald's have put up a banner saying they are "not loving'" damage they claim was done to their property during its construction.

The fast food branch opened in Coutances Way, in Ilkley, on Wednesday - in a building which has previously housed a Kashmiri restaurant and Little Chef.

Neighbour Rachel Laidler has erected the sign in her garden saying "we're not loving it" after she claimed a water tank was installed without planning permission and had damaged her fence.

A spokesperson for McDonald's said they were "working with the planning authority to make sure they are satisfied the correct procedures have been followed".

Mrs Laidler's house is adjacent to the new McDonald's in Ilkley

Mrs Laidler said: "The main concern is that they dug very close to our house and the force with which they have been digging has caused the retaining wall posts to slip, move and crack."

She says the chain did not have planning permission to install the septic tank where they did and she had not been consulted about its final location.

"They will now put in for retrospective planning permission, but I don't know why they won't just talk to us about it," she said.

Citing her own efforts to install a septic tank at their own property, Mrs Laidler said she and her husband had had to "jump through hoops with the council".

Since the restaurant opened, she has installed a banner in her garden, which reads: "We're not loving it - see the unrepaired damage they left behind their fence".

The water treatment tank has been installed close to the Laidler's boundary

Planning permission for McDonald's to make alterations to the building and car park and install the underground waste water treatment tank was granted last year, despite attracting 595 objections.

However, Bradford Council said a retrospective application would have to be submitted as the location of the water treatment tank differed to the initial plans.

A spokesman said: "The council is aware of this issue and is in discussions with the owners’ representatives.

"We have been advised that a retrospective planning application is being prepared and once received the council will fully consider it, which will include the usual publicity to give residents a chance to make their comments."

McDonald's said: "As part of building our new McDonald’s restaurant in Ilkley, we installed a water treatment tank, following a review of the local drainage infrastructure.

"Once on site, it became clear that the water treatment tank could not be placed in the exact spot originally planned, however, the main outlet pipe where the treated water leaves the site remains in the same location.

"Relevant experts have assured us that the relocated tank does not impact neighbours or the surrounding area in any way, and we are working with the planning authority to make sure they are satisfied the correct procedures have been followed, and will follow any further steps they ask us to take."

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