Controversial McDonald's could open 24 hours a day

Some residents near the planned McDonald's - close to the Mousehold Heath nature reserve - are not keen

A new McDonald's restaurant which has been opposed by local residents could be open 24 hours a day.

A licensing application lodged with Norwich City Council has revealed the branch in Mousehold Lane, Sprowston, could operate all day and night.

The chain first sought planning permission three years ago but was blocked by the council because of concerns about its proximity to Mousehold Heath and two high schools.

However, the decision was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate and the branch – currently under construction – is expected to open later this year.

There was strong opposition to the plan from people living nearby, with one of the main arguments being the potential for an increase in traffic coming out of the site.

However, McDonald's appealed the decision and won the support of the Planning Inspectorate which rules in planning disputes.

The site of the new McDonald's will be next to an M&S garage and a KFC and Costa takeaway on a nearby retail park

It is being built on the site of a former car dealership, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The new application seeks a premises licence to start at the end of August, permitting the business to sell hot food and non-alcoholic drinks to eat in or take away.

It sets out the operating hours of the business as being between 5am and 5am, seven days a week.

In its application, the company said it "understands that in extending our opening hours we have a duty to the local community and that we continue to protect our staff and customers from danger and harm.

"We believe that the systems we have in place are robust and thorough.

"We also seek to work with the local communities, whom we serve, in achieving a successful cohesion between our business operations and our neighbours."

Work is already taking place on building the new restaurant

When it opens, it will become the 11th McDonalds in Norwich.

The firm's other branches in the city close at midnight, though some, including the Barrett Road restaurant, are also open throughout the night.

Norwich City Council's planning committee dismissed plans for the drive-through by a vote of six to five at the end of 2022.