Planning bun fight over McDonald's drive-through bid

Burger giant McDonald's is facing rejection of its plans for a new drive-through in the south of Scotland in a disagreement over its environmental impact.

Dumfries and Galloway Council is being recommended to refuse the application in Cairnryan due to concerns about the traffic it would generate.

However, the company has argued it would actually cut emissions by offering people in the area a restaurant closer to home.

The council's planning committee will decide the fate of the application when it meets on 25 February.

The refusal recommendation is the latest chapter in a planning saga involving the company and the local authority in south-west Scotland.

In December 2024, it withdrew plans for a second restaurant in Dumfries after council planners advised refusal.

However, revised proposals were approved in August last year despite a recommendation to reject them again.

Soon afterwards, plans emerged to convert a derelict hotel near the ferry ports at Cairnryan - about 75 miles (120km) from Dumfries, in the west of the region.

Once again, those were withdrawn when they were recommended for refusal but revised plans are now also facing rejection.

Planning officials said while the scheme at the old Lochryan Hotel had come some way to meeting their concerns they had not addressed them entirely.

They said the drive-through would be remote from the main population area of Stranraer and would be "heavily reliant" on private transport.

On that basis, the council is being advised to reject the plans as not being sited "so as to minimise lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions as far as possible".

A report added the location would "not accord with the objectives of local living".

McDonald's expressed "disappointment" and said the project enjoyed "significant public support".

"The reasons for refusal focus on car use and emissions," said a statement.

"But the proposed restaurant will improve local access to McDonald's, reducing travel times for residents in Cairnryan, Stranraer and the surrounding areas to other restaurants in Dumfries and Galloway and beyond."

It said it would also serve passing traffic from the two nearby ferry terminals which were already using the route.

"We believe our proposals will regenerate a long-term derelict site, providing much-needed choice and facilities for locals and ferry passengers," it added.

"Our proposal balances climate considerations with jobs, investment, and new amenities, bringing clear benefits to Cairnryan and the wider area."