‘It sets an unwanted precedent’: Warning ignored as McDonald’s wins 24/7 trial in busy part of Northampton

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has approved a temporary application for the McDonald’s restaurant on Kettering Road, Kingsley Park, to operate 24 hours a day for 12 months.

In planning papers, the applicant, McDonald’s Restaurants Limited, said: “The additional hours are required to ensure that the restaurant is better set to meet the needs of its customer base and enhance the overall operational efficiency.

“The proposed extension to the operating hours of the restaurant is not considered to result in any unacceptable impact on the existing levels of residential amenity.

“Based on experiences of other restaurants within the group, the bulk of the custom during the late-night hours will be drawn from passing trade rather than drawing people into the area. On that basis, we don’t consider that the proposal will result in a noticeable increase in noise associated movements.

“The proposed development will have a series of positive impacts that contribute towards meeting the local and national policy objectives relating to economic growth and job creation. The extension of operating hours for the restaurant will create additional employment positions and additional working hours for existing employees at the site.”

Only Northampton Town Council objected to the plans, warning that the move could set an ‘unwanted precedent’.

A NTC spokesman said: “The committee state that the original condition was put on the application in order to get the initial planning application agreed. It is frustrating that a few years on from this, the application has now been made to remove this condition.

“The committee are of the belief that agreeing to this proposal would set an unwanted precedent whereby the neighboring vendors (Starbucks etc) may also put in an application to extend opening hours. The cumulative impact of this would be more traffic, noise, etc.

“Weston Favell McDonald’s, which is approximately two miles away by car, is open 24 hours and meets the requirements of the locality, shift workers, emergency workers.”

Despite the objection, WNC approved the plans, which will last until November 13 2026.

A WNC spokesman said: “Environmental Health recommends a temporary consent for 12 months while the noise plan is monitored. This allows the council to see the effect on nearby residents before deciding on any permanent change. The applicant has agreed to the 12-month consent.

“It is considered that the temporary extended hours would not cause unacceptable harm to neighbouring residents.”