McDonald's denied bid for second Trowbridge restaurant

MP Andrew Murrison said the current McDonald's was "great" but Trowbridge did not need another one

McDonald's has been refused planning permission for a new restaurant in Wiltshire's county town.

The proposal was for the construction of a McDonald's with a drive-through on the eastern edge of Trowbridge.

There were strong objections and protests from some residents, while the local MP welcomed the decision on X, writing: "Trowbridge and Hilperton are NOT loving it."

The applicant said it was a "multi-million pound investment".

The fast food chain also said the McDonald's with a drive-through planned for the corner of the Hilperton Drive and Devizes Road Roundabout. would recruit more than 120 staff from the area.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said Wiltshire Council had received many strong objections from residents concerned about the potential for litter, increased traffic and the impact on the environment.

Residents gathered to protest at the proposed McDonald's site earlier in 2023

Wiltshire Council said there was not enough information "to fully determine the ecological impacts", which included the impact on wildlife and habitats.

It also listed a lack of sufficient information on drainage and the resulting verge reduction as reasons to deny planning permission.

Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire, took to X, formerly Twitter, to show his support for the council's decision.

"We've got a McDonald's in Trowbridge which is great but the county town doesn't need another and definitely not there," he said.