The decision as to whether or not a McDonald’s restaurant should be built on Gloucester Road at the A40 A449 junction has sparked local debate.

Whilst there are strong opinions on both sides of the issue, county councillor for the Ross North ward Cllr Chris Bartrum has said he will do everything he can to truly represent the interests and opinions of his constituents.

Cllr Bartrum told the Gazette: “My attitude is that I’ve got to represent everyone in my ward.”

If or when the application is put in front of the county council’s planning committee, Cllr Bartrum will have an opportunity under the rules to offer up his opinion in an official capacity. Until that time occurs Cllr Bartrum says he will be weighing up the opinions of his constituents as well as all evidence available and present what he believes to be the most accurate and comprehensive opinion possible.

He’s also advised residents on all sides of the discussion to present their comments, in planning terms, to the council directly through the planning website. The final date for comment has passed (August 30) and the target determination date for this application is September 7.

He added: “I’m not giving you much of a headline because I’m sitting on the fence really, but I feel I have to, because I’ve got to represent everybody, those who want it desperately and those who don’t want it desperately.” He also made it clear that he’s reserving his opinion as all the evidence about the application and it’s effects haven’t yet come out; adding that there’s the possibility that there’ll be developments after the application has been submitted.

Before the application makes it to the planning committee, a report must be completed by the planning officer who’s been allocated the case, in which there will be a recommendation.

Applications with a large degree of public interest, such as the last time a McDonald’s application was submitted, tend to get referred to the planning committee. Most applications do not go through this process, but rather get handled by council officers under delegated powers.

In an online poll put to Gazette readers which asked if they support or oppose the drive-through restaurant, 62.2 per cent of participants oppose it, with the remaining 37.8 per cent saying that they’re in favour.

Whilst most public opinion initially was loudly against it, there are a substantial number of people who have expressed more positive opinions.

John Andrews said: “Not got a problem with McDonald’s; but the access to the site is all wrong. They need to put their hands in their pockets and speak to the owners of the service station and get access from there.”

“We do not need another rubbish food outlet, too many already,” said reader Claire Ward.

Whilst final date for public comment on the planning application for a McDonald’s on Gloucester Road has passed. Countless residents, business owners, and community leaders have put forward cases both for and against.

Secretary for the Ross Business Association (RBA) Sue Williams told the Gazette: “I can’t comment about McDonald’s on behalf of RBA as there are varied views. I’ve forwarded an information sheet from St Mary’s to our members so they can see what the major points are and if they want to comment, that’s fine. What I will say is that I’m so impressed by the factual evidence produced by the residents group, they really have covered all areas in such an unemotional manner laying bare the outlandish claims that the McDonald’s team have put forward.”

Sandie Cotterell said: “I am totally against this. It is unfair to the people who paid a lot of money for homes in St Mary’s Village who knew nothing about this when they purchased; I do not live there. It is also the most dangerous roundabout in the area and to add to it a fast food outlet is making it worse. It is dangerous for the pupils at John Kyrle as they will cross two extremely busy roads.” She added: “It is taking business away from the town, which in time, will kill off our beautiful market town.” Town councillor Phil Cutter added: “I agree with you on this. These are pretty much my own views and for the record I voted against this at the planning meeting.”

Cllr Daniel Lister said: “Most of the local character was lost years ago and continues to be lost as more houses are being built on the surrounding farm land. Ross-on-Wye is fast becoming a large town and the small market town will disappear; with all this growth we need companies like McDonald’s that bring more employment and more choice of employment.”

A number of residents have expressed concerns that with proposals to build a large number of houses on nearby land, jobs, as well as other facilities need to be added as the town grows, otherwise the town as a whole will suffer due to massive pressure on existing services, and residents being forced to jobs out of town, which in-turn could remove money from the local economy.

Andy Bridges said: “No objection here” and that it’s good for the town, good for jobs, and good for the economy.

In a statement from McDonald’s they said that they plan to employ more than 120 full or part-time staff from the local area.