Plea for McDonald's to protect city nature reserve

An example of a McDonald's store was provided to Norwich City Council in the planning application

The approaching arrival of a new McDonald's next to a city's prized nature reserve has sparked a plea for the area and its wildlife to be protected from litter.

People in Norwich found out in May the fast-food chain would build a drive-through restaurant on Mousehold Lane, near Mousehold Heath, after the Planning Inspectorate overturned the city council's refusal of plans.

Former councillor Marion Maxwell, part of the Mousehold Defenders group, said: "Our concern is any damage to the heath and the possibility of animals being affected."

McDonald's said it would "strive to be a good neighbour" with regular litter patrols.

An artist's impression of the proposed McDonald's site

The new McDonald's will be built next year on a site currently occupied by a Richard Nash Cars forecourt, with the dealership moving to its Vulcan Road South site.

The restaurant would be near two high schools and sit alongside an M&S garage, with KFC and Costa takeaways on a nearby retail park.

Ms Maxwell, a former Labour city councillor and Lord Mayor of Norwich, said: "We do have worries that it's going to be a bit too close to the heath, but there is fencing so there is a fair walk around for people.

"We know it's going to be built now and we've got to move with the times and just hope that people behave in a way that keeps the heath clean.

"What we're asking is for them [McDonald's] to work with us and not against us."

Marion Maxwell (centre) of the Mousehold Defenders, pictured during her time as Lord Mayor of Norwich in 2016-17

A litter management plan was approved by the council last week, which includes a 150m (492ft) radius for litter-picking and details on nearby roads to be targeted.

A McDonald's spokesperson said: "At McDonald's we strive to be a good neighbour in the communities in which we operate and take our responsibility around litter very seriously.

"This is why our restaurant teams carry out daily litter patrols, three times a day, to ensure all litter, not just McDonald's branded packaging, is collected.

"We look forward to working together with the local community in Mousehold Heath, once the restaurant is in operation, to identify any litter hot spots."

There has been opposition from some residents, with this protest sign pictured in June

Why is Mousehold Heath important?

Mousehold Heath is on the edge of Norwich

The area of heathland, woodland and open space is the biggest nature reserve in Norwich, spanning about 184 acres (88 hectares).

In the 16th Century it stretched about nine miles (14km) north-east, as far as South Walsham, but its surviving remnants were given to the city council for protection in 1880.

This was recorded in Parliament as the Mousehold Heath Confirmation Act. Four years later, the Mousehold Heath Conservators was formed.

Birds, lizards, butterflies and dragonflies are among the wildlife that can be spotted, with frogs gathering around the Vinegar Pond to mate in early spring.

Popular with dog walkers, the heath is also home to a pitch-and-putt golf course, football pitches and mounds used by BMX and mountain bike riders.

The heathland even has its own byelaws to define permissions for things such as camping, animal grazing, live music and outdoor barbecues.