The committee, eight committee members voted in favour of approving the application, with one abstention.
The meeting passed quite smoothly, Barleythorpe Cllr Dave Blanksby did seem to be stuck in his former parish councillor mode going on about bins and more bins, then the irrelevant matter of the lorries parking where they should not over night. He also raised a more serious concern young people glue stiffing in the area and in his opinion a zero police presence here in Oakham during the evening.
Ex Cllr Lucas was present and spent the hole meeting hiding behind sheets of paper due to the large amount of media cameras present.
Two Cllrs did not take part and left the room, Cllr Mark Oxley because his wife owns a Chinese takeaway in Uppingham. Cllr Nick Woodley for private employment matters. (there is no truth in the rumour that he owns a large share of the Wendy Burger chain which is planning to return to the UK soon or Taco Bell who have a presence here in the UK.
A representative of Rutland mums spoke it was obvious she was very nervous as she said most mums would like a restaurant in the location as long as it was not a McDonald's. It is of course part of plans for a much larger family restaurant nearby and budget hotel. Along with the parade of shops which I am told may contain another takeaway.
The applicant spoke he owns 11 other Mcdonald's franchises in the region including the recently refurbished branch in nearby Melton Mowbray.
"The largest number of objections received in response to this application have been about the issue of litter. This is something that was highlighted in our consultation with both Barleythorpe Parish and Oakham Town Councils, resulting in a commitment by the applicant to provide new waste bins close to where the restaurant has been proposed. The applicant has also committed to carrying out no fewer than three litter picks each day, collecting any and all litter found within 100m of the site.”
Councillor Gordon Brown
Rutland and Stamford Mercury
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“We take great care when considering major applications of this kind and a huge amount of work has gone into preparing the incredibly detailed report that was presented to members of our Planning Committee. I know there are lots of people, both inside and outside of Rutland, who have strong opinions about whether or not there should be a McDonald’s in the county. It’s the job of Planning Officers and the Planning Committee to look at every application objectively and dispassionately. We have to be impartial and can only make decisions based on whether or not an application complies with the relevant national and local planning policies. In the case of McDonald’s, the development put forward has been approved because it would not have an adverse impact on neighbouring homes and businesses, or the character of the surrounding area, and will create a significant number of new jobs on land that is set aside for employment, rather than houses.”
Councillor Gordon Brown, Cabinet Member for Planning
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Cllr Dave Blanksby
Cllr Edward Baines
Cllrs Nick Begy and William Cross
Cllr William Cross
Cllrs Nick Woodley
Helen Briggs
Chief Executive Rutland County Council
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