New McDonald’s drive-thru near Birmingham Airport closer to opening as it clears latest hurdle over signage

McDonald’s submitted the original application for the drive-thru on Car Park 6 of BHX last September.

And, as previously reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Solihull Council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead earlier this year.

Artist’s impressions of the proposed restaurant showcased the site with an outdoor seating area and the iconic ‘Golden Arches’ signage.

It has now emerged that in March the fast food giant submitted another application related to the site south east of the Airport Way/Viking Road/Jetstream Road roundabout.

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McDonald’s applied to put in totem poles, digital screens, and a number of road signs for cars and pedestrians in that application.

The authority’s website has now been updated to show permission was granted by council officers on May 14.

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The original application was granted despite seven objections including from Bickenhill Parish Council as its councillors raised fears it could become a hotspot for “car cruising”.

During the debate of the council’s planning committee Councillor Mark Wilson voiced his worries the new McDonald’s would exacerbate the already congested road network around the airport, with concerns raised about pedestrians crossing to the site.

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But planning officer Becky Stevens said: “It is proposed the majority of the use of this will be through existing users of the airport coming and going so it wouldn’t increase the traffic movements.”

The application was approved, subject to conditions, on a close vote of five to three on January 8.

In the original planning application, Lichfields, the agent for McDonald’s, stated the economic benefits of the proposed development would be “considerable”, creating 185 jobs during construction and 75 equivalent full time jobs once the restaurant has opened.

The proposed 309 square metre restaurant will be decked out in the iconic McDonald’s colours, offering customers the choice to either dine in or use the drive-thru for takeaway.