New McDonalds Proposed for Cobham is ‘Last Thing Surrey Needs’ say Objectors

Published on: 5 Sep, 2024
Updated on: 6 Sep, 2024

Proposed View from Portsmouth Road Image Elmbridge Borough Council

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

Popular burger chain McDonald’s has submitted plans for what it hopes will be its newest Surrey restaurant.

Famed for its Big Mac, Golden Arches and Happy Meals, the global giant is hoping to add Cobham to its empire after formally filing its proposals to Elmbridge Borough Council.

The restaurant, if approved, would fill the vacant Portsmouth Road site formerly occupied by Loch Fyne.

If it gets signed off, the new branch would be McDonald’s 15th in the county.

However, some residents have spoken out against the dangers it would create to people’s “emotional welfare’ with others saying it was “the last thing Surrey needed” – and a petition calling for the site to be turned into a community centre has passed 30,000 signatures.

The village of Cobham was named as one of the most affluent communities in the county but the Northfield Estate, where the restaurant is proposed, is among Surrey’s lowest socio-economic areas.

According to the plans submitted this week, McDonald’s is seeking a change of use for the empty building which, it says, would “sensitively restore” the disused site and convert it into an “employment generating facility” in keeping with its former use as a restaurant.

McDonald’s has sought to appease residents upset at the potential of cars queuing along the busy Portsmouth Road that there would be no drive though services.

According to the chain, the new restaurant would include both indoor and outdoor seating with space for 60 diners, 30 cars parking bays, two of which would be accessible and three with EV charging spaces.

There would also be four motorcycle bays, eight cycle spaces and four secure staff cycle spaces.

McDonald’s said the new opening would “provide a significant economic boost” to the area, creating approximately 120 new jobs as well as generating around £50,000 to £60,000 in business rates to Elmbridge Borough Council.

The plans were submitted following a two-week public consultation.

McDonald’s proposal is for convesion of the former Loch Fyne site in Cobham Image Google

A spokesperson for McDonald’s said: “We would like to thank everyone that took part in the consultation, we have carefully considered the feedback received and will continue to engage with the local community as the application progresses.

“We are excited to regenerate this under-utilised site which will deliver a range of benefits, including job opportunities for local people.”

Residents opposed to the plans have already created a petition which has since passed 32,000 signatures.

Comments on the petition, called Stop The Redevelopment of The Loch Fyne Building into a McDonald’s Outlet, include one saying it was the “last thing” Surrey needed, with another claiming they would “rather eat cat faeces”.

Proposed operating hours are between 6am and midnight, Monday to Sunday.