Wait for McDonald's appeal decision continues in Sprowston

In January 2022 the fast food giant submitted plans for a drive-through restaurant to replace Sprowston company Richard Nash Cars, next to the M&S petrol station in Mousehold Lane.

Those plans were refused by Norwich City Council's planning committee in September 2022 - by a vote of six to five - but McDonald's has since appealed to the government's Planning Inspectorate.

The proposed development site for the restaurant would be in Mousehold Lane, at the former Richard Nash car dealership (Image: Norwich City Council)

However, despite a date being set for the planning inspector to consider written representations and all of the relevant evidence around the proposal - on January 17 - a decision has not yet been announced.

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Those involved with the application are waiting on whether the city council's decision to reject the application was valid or not.

Labour councillor Mike Sands, who is vice chairman of the city council's planning committee and voted to approve the plans, said: "I haven't received any update from the inspectorate yet.

Plans were initially submitted for the Sprowston McDonald's in January 2022 (Image: Norwich City Council)

"Something like this, which is a relatively small project, you'd think would be sorted quite quickly but apparently that's not the case.

"I'd think going there and having a look at the site would mean a decision could be reached but apparently not.

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"Some things can go through in a matter of weeks whereas some cases drag on for a year or more.

Mike Sands, vice chairman of the city council's planning committee (Image: Norfolk Labour Party)

"The biggest concerns were around litter and waste around the site, however as long as McDonald's carefully monitor this I can't see any great problems with it going ahead."

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A campaign against the proposed restaurant, Sprowston's Not Lovin' It, attracted almost 250 signatures. 

Despite a date being set for a planning inspector to consider representations of January 17 there still has not been a decision on the appeal (Image: Norwich City Council)

The city council's planning committee voted against the scheme despite it being recommended for approval by its own planning officers.

An overreliance on vehicles has been highlighted by the authority but McDonald's claims at least 120 new full and part-time jobs would be created while meeting local "demand".