Plans for a new two-storey McDonald's drive-through restaurant in Lowestoft have been approved.

At Waveney District Council's planning committee meeting last night, councillors voted to approve the plans for the 24-hour restaurant on the site of an old petrol station on Kirkley Rise, Lowestoft.

The plans for the drive-through were criticised by two councillors at the meeting due to concerns about traffic and obesity in the area.

Councillor for Kirkley, June Ford, said the new restaurant would add to the traffic problems which blight the roundabout next to the site.

The site is opposite the Spring Tide pub on Kirkley Rise, on the same roundabout as a 24 hour Asda and the A12, the main road into the south of Lowestoft.

During the debate on the application, she said: 'Every year I have to contact Suffolk County Council and the Highways department because there is so much congestion on the roundabout from cars not considering that other people need to come out of the other roads such as Asda.

'Is there any way that the Highways Committee can be asked to make some consideration of the congestion that we will get on this roundabout?'

Tony Goldson, councillor for Halesworth, also criticised the application.

He said: 'Lowestoft is an area where there is a large area of deprivation, there is a large problem with obesity.

'I think having another McDonalds you are feeding the high fat and high salt diet which contributes to the problem.'

The application was voted through with seven votes in favour and two abstentions.

The approval will see Lowestoft gain its third McDonalds in addition to the Pakefield and London Road North restaurants.

More than 60 jobs will be created when the restaurant opens, with the plans outlining space for 47 car parking spaces and cycle racks.

Plans for the building include two floors with a large dining area on the second floor, a children's play area and outdoor seating.

The plans had received a mixed reception from residents, with many saying the new restaurant will increase obesity and worsen the traffic problems at the roundabout.

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