Residents have raised concerns about a fast food chain’s plans to fell six protected trees for a major revamp of one its sites.
McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd has applied to make changes to its restaurant at The Keep, Wildridings, including the access, car park and drive-thru operations.
But plans involve the felling of six trees under a protection order, as well as minor works carried out on two other trees.
Three Italian Alder trees would be felled, along with two Willow trees and one Sweet Gum tree.
Plans submitted to Bracknell Forest Council said: “The key restraint to the development of this site is the Tree Preservation Order.
“The importance of these trees and their positive impact to the site and surrounding area has been the main priority when each stage of the design process has been completed.”
Discussions with tree officers at the council have taken place over the past five years, plans added.
McDonald’s said replacement trees would be planted elsewhere on the site.
But residents have raised concerns about the loss of trees.
Gilliam Cheetham from Bracknell Forest Natural History Society wrote to Bracknell Forest Council that the nearby Mill pond is ‘an important wildlife habitat’ which could be impacted by the loss of trees.
Ms Cheetham wrote: “Enlarging the restaurant and drive thru will result in increased use, bringing more traffic, road pollution and littering.
“By changing the entry access, traffic queues will build up along the dual carriageway, and nearby estate roads. This is a dangerous option on a junction that already experiences crashes on a regular basis.”
Michelle Craker said there are ‘too many established trees being destroyed’.
“If anything, McDonald’s should go from here entirely and turn it into something better for the area.”
But the plans have also received letters of support from neighbours.
Steven Field, who lives nearby, said his road gets blocked at peak times due to courier drivers parking.
Joel Luck said he supported the application ‘because of the pure traffic chaos that has occurred on Wildridings Road for many years’.
McDonald’s said the site lacked modern facilities, with “outdated” IT systems and kitchen processes.
Changes had been difficult to implement due to the proximity of the store to trees and highways, it added.
The redesign would see the existing exit changed to become the access point, and the current access road would be closed.
The application accounts for 40 car parking spaces and bespoke spaces for couriers.
Plans have been validated by Bracknell Forest Council, and a decision is yet to be made.
