McDonalds fast food enterprise has submitted planning application to High Peak council to build a restaurant and drive through on the site of the vacant Wrens Nest pub on Glossop Brook Rd, Glossop. In response the FB Oppose McDonalds Glossop group was started in early December and membership has soared in opposition to the planning application. By signing this petition, you are helping us to achieve our goals as a strong and united group on behalf of our town.
The High Peak application is live, and anyone can object online or in writing.See link in updates

These are the reasons we need your support-

 1.There will be a huge increase in litter near the proposed site, on the streets of Glossop and across our stunning moorland on top of the litter already being thrown. Although McDonald’s say they will clear all litter within the immediate vicinity and extra bins will be provided this is not taking place consistently.
We already have huge problems with litter and pollution ruining our environment and this will include the Mill Pond directly overlooked by the proposed site and home to ducks and wildlife. On a wider level McDonalds is a major contributor to climate change and we do not support what McDonalds represents.

2.There will be a massive increase in traffic congestion in Glossop.On 2.02.22 the Highways agency rejected the proposed plan on the grounds of traffic management and safety ahead of the determination date in April.The site is completely unsuitable for a drive through facility and access to adjoining businesses Wickes and Kingspan will be severely compromised.There is already a nationally known high level of traffic in the town centre from the M67 motorway to the A57 with only one main road in and out of Glossop from Woodhead and the A57. Glossop does not have the infra structure to support a McDonalds. There has been vast housing development and car usage has increased but no acceptable plan for a bypass. The only way to access the site would be down a small minor road shared with other large businesses. A drive through will generate more traffic volume from other areas. McDonalds promote high customer turnover by advertising for people to drive to their sites. If this was not the case a unit on the nearby retail site would have been chosen. Customers may drive from Buxton as it is nearer than the McDonalds in Matlock.Collection services such as Deliveroo will also lead to standing traffic. Air and noise pollution from traffic will also increase.
 
3.McDonalds will create jobs, but other independent smaller businesses will be placed at risk in direct competition with McDonalds. These independent businesses are valued for their contribution to our local economy providing choice and bringing vibrancy to our town. Many McDonalds jobs will be part time and only provide one career pathway. It is a carrot and stick approach and is always used by McDonalds when plans are submitted. The pay will be higher than minimum wage but not enough to secure housing or support a family. The only jobs created will be at the expense of smaller businesses in the food and hospitality sector. If smaller businesses close this will create redundancies and increase unemployment levels. This will impact on levels of poverty, tourism, investment, and footfall to the area due to lack of choice.
 
4.Impact on the appearance of Glossop as a small, Victorian mill town with its associated heritage. Glossop is a unique town with stone buildings on the edge of the Peak District with stunning moorland. It is not an urban setting and a McDonalds with large, illuminated banners and signage will tarnish the town and its heritage. The building materials are not in keeping with surrounding stone houses and the proposed site is directly adjacent to a conservation area which includes the Wrens Nest mill from the 1800s.The current building is vacant but not unsafe and yet it is being demolished which is not sustainable practice. The current,relatively modern building should be retained and used to meet the needs of the community.
 
5.Increase in anti-social behaviour, crime, and noise. Crime mapping links fast food outlets like McDonalds to problem behaviour caused by groups of people gathering at sites. The restaurant and drive through will be open long hours, late at night impacting on the safety and quality of life of residents. Noise levels will also be a factor from the site. Already stretched Police resources will be placed under additional pressure in responding to incidents.
 
6.Health and quality of life. Due to the sugar, salt, and fat content of McDonalds food it is linked to serious health problems such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. There are already a vast number of fast-food outlets in Glossop and a McDonalds will compound existing health issues.McDonalds target young people in their advertising and the proposed site is only 5 minutes from the nearest school raising concerns for the health of our young people.In terms of the wider population a McDonalds will ultimately impact on quality of life and life expectancy placing health and care services under additional pressure.