People power wins as McDonald’s next to Guildford Hotel is rejected

THE ‘Say No to McDonald’s in Guildford’ community group is celebrating after plans to build a Macca’s behind the historic Guildford Hotel were refused by the Metro East Joint Development Assessment Panel today.

The development was refused on the grounds the proposed “faux” heritage masonry façade to the frontage inappropriately endeavoured to look like a heritage building and diminished the heritage character of the town.

It was also knocked back over concerns the 43 onsite car parking bays to serve both the proposed fast food outlet and the Guildford Hotel were considered insufficient.

“An onsite parking shortfall of this magnitude is likely to result in inappropriate parking along the verge of Johnson Street by either/or both hotel or McDonalds patrons, which has potential adverse implications for road safety,” the report said.

At the close of the extended comment period, 861 submissions had been received – with 837 objections and 24 non-objections.

The objections cited the adverse impact of the proposal on the heritage values of Guildford, as well as adverse impact of traffic on the intersection of Johnson and James Street and on residential streets.

The inappropriate proximity of the proposed Macca’s to the Guildford Primary School and the adverse impact of noise, odours and litter on the surrounding area were also taken into account.