We, the undersigned residents of Beare Green, Capel and the wider Mole Valley community, are calling on Mole Valley District Council to refuse Planning Application MO/2026/00230, which proposes the construction of a McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant on the A24 at Beare Green.

Our concerns are based on material planning considerations and relevant national and local planning policies.

Highway Safety Concerns

The proposal has the potential to increase traffic movements and vehicle queuing onto the A24, a 50mph road, creating potential safety risks.

Paragraph 115 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that development should only be prevented or refused on highways grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety or the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe.

Drive-thru restaurants can generate significant vehicle queues and turning movements, which may create hazardous conditions on this section of the A24.

Pedestrian Safety

The proposed development is located close to a pedestrian subway used by school children and local residents.

Paragraph 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework requires developments to provide safe and suitable access for all users, including pedestrians and vulnerable road users.

Increased vehicle movements associated with a drive-thru restaurant may create additional safety risks for pedestrians.

Impact on Residential 

The proposal may also result in increased noise, vehicle idling, lighting and late-night activity, which could harm the amenity of nearby residents.

The National Planning Policy Framework states that planning decisions should ensure that developments create places with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users.

Harm to Local Character

Beare Green is a village community with a distinct rural character.

Policies within the Mole Valley Local Plan seek to ensure that development respects the character and appearance of the local area.

The introduction of a large corporate drive-thru restaurant would be out of keeping with the scale and character of the surrounding village environment.K

Environmental Impact

Fast-food drive-thru developments are commonly associated with increased litter, vehicle emissions and environmental impacts on surrounding streets and green spaces.

Planning decisions should contribute to protecting and enhancing the natural and local environment in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

Traffic Survey Concerns

There are concerns that traffic and pedestrian surveys may have been conducted during school holiday periods, when pedestrian activity is significantly reduced. This may underestimate the true level of pedestrian movement in the area and therefore understate potential safety risks.

Our Request 

For the reasons outlined above, we respectfully request that Mole Valley District Council refuse Planning Application MO/2026/00230 in order to protect highway safety, residential amenity, environmental quality and the character of the Beare Green community.