A major planning proposal to build a new McDonald’s drive‑through in Saltney has been turned down by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CW&C), following strong objections grounded in public health and community safety concerns.
The fast‑food chain had proposed demolishing three buildings on Boundary Lane to create a drive‑through restaurant with parking, EV charging points and indoor seating. However, concerns quickly mounted due to the site’s proximity to four local schools and the already high levels of childhood obesity in the surrounding area.
Public health teams stressed that 39.3% of pupils in the Lache Ward are obese, which is much higher than the borough average of 34.6%, making the location particularly sensitive. Cheshire Police and Saltney Town Council also raised objections, citing risks of anti‑social behaviour and the strain such a venue could place on local resources.
The council concluded that the development would not support the creation of a healthy, safe environment for children or the wider community, and formally refused the application.
We interviewed Alex Holt, Public Health Programme Lead at CW&C, on why the refusal is an example of the good work that can be achieved to protect the health of communities, through collaborative action (listen to the full interview above).
Speaking on how CW&C was able to come together with local partners to object to the application, Alex also highlighted the significance of the decision for protecting young people’s health in the community, saying:
“We know that our local environments play a huge part in our health and well-being and in terms of food and drink environments. the evidence is really clear.”
“Being surrounded by cheap food and drink options which are less healthy, plus the associated advertising and marketing that comes with these establishments, can have a significant impact on our diets even more so for children and young people.”
“That’s why in Cheshire West and Chester and along with other authorities in the North West, we take a whole systems approach to healthy weight with partners, working together to influence change where we can.”
Alex continued giving reference to the Hot food takeaways guidance note in CW&C which was a key resource in influencing the decision, playing alongside national planning policy:
“In Cheshire West and Chester we have a hot food takeaway guidance note, which has been in place since 2022 and this uses proximity to secondary schools childhood obesity deprivation and proliferation of other hot food takeaways to support us to object to hot food takeaways in certain areas.”
“Whilst this guidance has been somewhat superseded by national policy, it really demonstrates the local and of course our national commitment to protecting young people’s health.”
McDonald’s reportedly have six month’s to appeal the decision, but this decision marks a significant example of partners working together to prioritise the health and wellbeing of local residents.
