I’ve checked the planning / publicity for Three Gates Road, Cowes PO31 7UH
 • No formal planning application has been published on the Isle of Wight Council planning register for a McDonald’s at Three Gates Road (i.e. no application reference number yet).  
 • McDonald’s has an active public consultation for a proposed drive-thru on Three Gates Road (Cowes) — a consultation page and FAQ are live where you can view drawings and give feedback.  
 • we have our active petition and community opposition (Change.org and local press coverage) and parish / local media discussion.  
 • The site has earlier planning history (e.g. a 2021 permission for change of use to B8 and a 2023 permission for 3 pairs of semi-detached houses) — that background is noted on the consultation FAQ.  

What this means
 • Because the scheme is at consultation / pre-application stage, now is a good time to influence the scheme before any formal application is lodged — comments at this stage can change the design, access arrangements, or whether McDonald’s proceeds.  
 • If/when a formal planning application is submitted to Isle of Wight Council you will then be able to submit formal representations on the planning register (21-day consultation window normally applies).  

Concrete next steps (do these now)
 1. Respond to McDonald’s consultation — visit their Cowes consultation page and submit comments using the consultation feedback form (this is the developer’s formal pre-application engagement). Say clearly you oppose the location and explain planning-related reasons (traffic, noise, proximity to houses/school, loss of greenfield).  
 2. Alert Isle of Wight Planning — email the planning inbox to ask whether a pre-application has been submitted and to ask to be notified if a formal application is lodged: planning.enquiries@iow.gov.uk. If an application appears, note the application number and comment on the register within 21 days.  
 3. Contact your parish / ward councillors and Gurnard Parish Council — ask them to press for robust highways, noise and environmental safeguards, or to consider formally objecting when the application is submitted. The parish council has already discussed the proposals.  
 4. Sign/share the petition & mobilise neighbours — a visible community response (individual letters are more effective than a single collective letter) will be important.  
 5. Collect evidence now — take dated photos of the site and surrounding residential properties, record any baseline traffic/noise problems, and map how close a drive-thru would be to homes and schools. This strengthens objections later.
 6. Prepare to object on planning grounds — issues that carry weight: traffic and highway safety (queueing, junction visibility), residential amenity (noise, light, odour), loss of green space / conflict with adopted local plan policies, ecological impacts, and proximity to schools (public health). Cite local policy where possible when you write.  

Useful links 
 • McDonald’s Cowes consultation page (view plans & comment): McDonald’s Cowes Consultation.  
 • McDonald’s Cowes FAQs (includes site history and proposed hours etc.).  
 • Isle of Wight Council planning search / how to comment.  
 • Local coverage & community campaign (Island Echo / OnTheWight).  
 • Active Change.org petition opposing the drive-thru.  

Ready-to-use messages add your own changes - 

A. Quick message to submit on the McDonald’s consultation form or to copy into an email to the council:

I live at [YOUR ADDRESS]. I oppose the proposed McDonald’s drive-thru on Three Gates Road (Cowes PO31 7UH) on the following planning grounds:
 1. Traffic & highways — the proposed new priority junction and predicted drive-thru queuing will increase congestion on Three Gates Road and pose safety risks for nearby residential streets and school drop-offs.
 2. Residential amenity — the site is immediately opposite houses; the scheme will increase noise (including from 24/7 deliveries if allowed), light pollution and litter that will directly impact residents’ living conditions.
 3. Loss of green/allocated land — local planning history shows alternative uses approved for residential development; this commercial proposal would result in loss of amenity land and possible harm to local ecology.
 4. Proximity to school and public health — the location’s close proximity to local schools is of concern from a public health perspective.
Please record my objection and ensure these issues are considered in any formal planning submission. I request notification when a formal application is lodged.
— [NAME, ADDRESS, DATE]

B. Email to planning to ask to be kept informed:

To: planning.enquiries@iow.gov.uk
Subject: Enquiry / please notify — potential McDonald’s on Three Gates Road, Cowes (PO31 7UH)

Dear Planning Team,
I live at [YOUR ADDRESS] and understand that McDonald’s are consulting on a proposal for Three Gates Road, Cowes. Please can you confirm whether a pre-application or planning application has been submitted for this site and, if not, please add me to a list to be notified when a formal planning application is registered.
Kind regards,
[NAME,