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NewsTranscript
00:00 My name is Andrew Watt and I'm a senior applicant
00:02 for the City of McDonalds.
00:03 Thank you for allowing me the opportunity
00:04 to address the state to support this application.
00:07 I want to use this opportunity to add some details
00:10 to the report before you and to tell you about McDonalds.
00:13 We have worked closely with officers
00:14 throughout the application process
00:16 and are pleased with the recommendation
00:17 to approve the proposal.
00:20 Following the withdrawal of our initial application,
00:23 we have listened to original concerns
00:25 and have made a number of amendments to the scheme.
00:28 Firstly, the plot of land which was earmarked
00:30 for future development will be incorporated
00:32 into a landscape and biodiversity and heartland area
00:35 that also provides a more sustainable drainage design.
00:38 Importantly, we have listened to neighbours
00:41 and have reduced our proposed opening and servicing hours.
00:44 We are also proposing a gate on the entrance road
00:46 to ensure the site is not misused after hours.
00:50 We are also incorporating a number of sustainable features
00:53 within the scheme, including solar panels
00:55 and electric vehicle charging points.
00:58 We are pleased to see that our proposal has support locally,
01:01 with 417 letters of support being submitted to the council.
01:06 It is welcome to see so many local people
01:08 actively voice their support for our scheme.
01:11 We've worked hard at offices
01:12 during the course of the application
01:14 to ensure the proposal before you is in an acceptable form.
01:18 Our transportation experts have also undertaken
01:21 extensive work to ensure that the layout design
01:23 is acceptable in terms of parking provision
01:26 and drive-through queuing.
01:28 The transport assessment has been provided
01:30 to demonstrate that the proposed traffic
01:32 can be accommodated on the road network
01:34 without taking significant impacts,
01:36 which includes proposed widening to the overall roundabouts.
01:40 I would want to take the opportunity to reiterate
01:42 our commitment to invest in the local area for the long term,
01:45 creating at least 120 jobs for local people.
01:49 As a company, McDonald's invests over £43 million a year
01:52 in staff training.
01:53 All of our employees have access to a range of qualifications
01:56 to help them develop,
01:58 including nationally recognised foundation degrees
02:00 and apprenticeships.
02:01 The majority of our managers started serving
02:04 in our restaurants, as did many of our most senior staff.
02:09 The restaurant will be locally franchised,
02:11 which will inherently provide additional benefits
02:13 to the local area.
02:14 McDonald's has a proud history in helping local communities
02:17 to tackle waste, and we've invested heavily in recent years
02:20 in introducing recycling bins across all of our restaurants,
02:24 displaying clear instructions as to how to responsibly
02:27 dispose of and recycle waste.
02:29 Recently, McDonald's launched a partnership with Litter Lotto
02:32 as part of a long-term commitment to combat litter
02:34 across the UK.
02:36 This will allow customers to win prizes
02:38 just for binning their litter through the Litter Lotto app.
02:41 If approved, McDonald's will undertake a minimum
02:44 of three litter picks per day to collect all litter
02:46 in the vicinity of the site.
02:48 To conclude, we are pleased with the officer's recommendation
02:51 and are excited to invest in Ross and White for the long term,
02:54 providing a significant economic investment
02:57 that will provide a range of benefits to the local community.