'It could have a damaging impact on the area' say Green councillor as Sheffield McDonald's set to be refused
Local councillors have celebrated a planning officer’s recommendation that a drive-through fast food restaurant be refused.
For close to a year now, residents around London Road have been locked in a battle against fast food chain McDonald’s as they plan to open a new drive-through restaurant along the stretch of road.
An initial plan was withdrawn in July 2025, with developers submitting a follow-up plan in September.
Campaigners raised a number of concerns, notably increased traffic, the risk of littering, and fears around childhood obesity and health due to its location near to Lowfield Primary School.
A planning officer has now however reccomended the restaurant be refused permission, ahead of a council meeting to decide its future on January 13.
The move has been celebrated by Green Party campaigners and councillors, who have been fighting the application throughout.
Nether Edge and Sharrow Green Councillor, Maroof Raouf, said: “I really hope that McDonald’s learn from this – that putting a big drive-through take-away next to a school is not appropriate.
“As I set out in my formal objection letter in October, I raised serious concerns about the influence of fast-food marketing on young children. The daily visibility of a McDonald’s will make it much harder for parents and teachers to encourage healthy food choices.
“I also raised concerns about litter, increased traffic and road safety hazards, air pollution and the impact on local independent food businesses.
“A drive-through could have a really damaging impact on the local area, especially for people living on the street right next to it.
“I want to thank Lynsey Angell for her tireless work in drawing attention to the risks of this massive development going ahead in a sensitive area, as well as the community who showed how much they care.”
Local resident and protest organiser, Lynsay Angell, added: “I welcome the recommendation of the planning officers against this fast food drive-thru which the community has shown, twice in the space of a year, that they do not want or need.
“I strongly echo Coun Raouf’s concerns about the marketing of fast food to primary school children as well the traffic congestion and litter concerns.”
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