A CONTROVERSIAL planning application for another McDonald’s in Worcester has been withdrawn, with campaigners saying the move is “a victory” for the community who opposed the scheme.

The application, to change the old Harvester in Droitwich Road into the city’s third branch of McDonald’s, had been met with dozens of objections from residents who were worried about its close proximity to the North Worcester Primary Academy and its suitability for the location.

On November 28, the application was formally withdrawn so the fast food chain could re-apply.

Councillor James Stanley, who led the petition against the proposal, said it wasn’t an anti-McDonald’s campaign but rather a campaign based on concerns over the suitability of the site.

He said: “As I said to many people while we were in the process of setting up the petition, this was never an anti-McDonald’s campaign.

“We are always in favour of businesses bringing employment opportunities to Worcester, I simply felt at that time that it was an inappropriate location.

“As we go forward we are willing to have continued debate with them (McDonald’s) about the site and if they choose to come back they are perfectly entitled to do so.

“It is a victory for people expressing their views in a collective way and we are delighted to have played a part in it.”

McDonald’s did not give a specific reason for why they withdrew their application, which was due to go before the council on December 19.

A spokesman said: “We continue to work with the local authority on a revised scheme, which aims to address points raised during the planning process.”

If approved, the Perdiswell branch would be third to open in the city, along with those at the Cross and Hylton Road.

Dozens of residents submitted responses to the proposal, with many saying they were against the decision.

One resident, Anthony Bowen, of Checketts Court, said: “This community cannot claim to care about our children’s health and well-being by allowing an addictive fast food chain to open next to a new primary school.

“I urge the council to consider carefully this decision at a time when opinions are changing rapidly.

“As attitudes shift, the council may find itself very soon regretting allowing a McDonald’s restaurant to open opposite a primary school, and in the face of so much opposition from the local community.”

It is understood that although the application has been withdrawn for now, McDonald’s will be re-submitting a revised application, meaning the Perdiswell site could yet become branch of the fast food giant.

Cllr Stanley added: “This shows that when people within an area join together and express their strong view over an issue, it can have a decisive impact on what businesses decide to do.

“Again I would be forthright in saying we need to encourage businesses to come to Worcester and we need to have as wide an employment pool as possible.”