A NEW McDonald's restaurant and "Drive Thru" takeaway near the M5 is expected to gain approval when it goes before councillors tomorrow.

People living near the proposed site at Wychbold are up in arms about the plans, which would bring an outlet for the giant American burger chain to their doorsteps.

Wychavon District Council, which will consider the proposal at its planning committee meeting, has received two petitions with a total of 30 signatures and representations from seven individuals.

The site at Sunnyside Caf, Worcester Road - off the A38 and near the M5 exit slip road at Junction 5 - is currently a transport caf and lorry park.

An application for a new restaurant, with drive through facility, as part of a large redevelopment including a 95-bedroom hotel with parking, was approved in February last year.

Amended plans from Designsite Limited show the restaurant proposal is for a McDonald's outlet.

The parish council supported the original restaurant proposal but feels a "Drive Thru" would cause additional traffic which would be a dangerous hazard at a busy junction.

Residents have lodged a series of objections.

These include potential lighting nuisance from the large M on the roof, noise nuisance in the serving hatch area for the "Drive Thru", increased pollution levels from vehicles waiting in the serving hatch queue, fear of security risk to homes from people visiting the restaurant, more rubbish as a result of discarded cartons, and half-eaten food, and potential devaluation of their properties.

However, a report to the planning committee points out that the principle of a new restaurant with a drive through facility has already been accepted for this site.

"Taking the background history of the site and approval into account, it is not considered that objections could be sustained in respect of the principle of the development," said the report.

"The concerns of local residents with regard to proposed lighting levels for this scheme are appreciated and further details in respect of this matter have been requested from the applicant's agents."

Officers are recommending the committee delegates approval to the head of the planning department as long as details of lighting levels are satisfactory and there are no objections from the Highways Agency.