Plans for a brand new McDonald's restaurant in Stevenston have now been officially submitted.

As revealed by the Herald earlier this year, the fast food chain wants to relocate their existing restaurant at Hawkhill Retail Park to a brand new two-storey building on the site.

The company vowed: "If approved, we will deliver a new and attractive McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant for Stevenston, to better meet customer demand "

McDonald’s, in partnership with Waypoint Asset Management, who own the retail park, hope to replace the existing drive thru-restaurant with a modern restaurant on the southern section of the car park at Hawkhill Retail Park.   

Following the evolution of the design proposals, the submitted plans seek permission to change the use of the current restaurant unit to Class 1A (Shops, Financial, Professional, and Other Services) and to relocate the existing drive-thru restaurant to a newly purpose-built facility.

This will allow the retail park to provide a more modern drive-thru facility to improve customer experience and enhance the retail offering.

The proposed drive-thru restaurant will comprise a two-storey restaurant with drive-thru lane, car parking, and associated works, including customer order displays.

The restaurant will be 527 sqm and will include 17 car parking spaces, including two accessible spaces and six cycle spaces. There will be no additional car parking spaces over and above those that already exist within the retail park.

If consented, they say the proposed restaurant would create 20 full-time and part-time jobs, together with new jobs during construction and within the McDonald’s supply chain, in addition to the 126 staff currently employed in the existing store.

(Image: McDonald's)

In addition, the proposals will secure the continued operation of a McDonald’s restaurant in Stevenston, which will protect and increase the jobs in the area. 

Prior to submitting a planning application to North Ayrshire Council, a public exhibition was held on Tuesday, March 12 at St John’s Church where members of the local community could attend, learn more about the proposals, and leave feedback to the project team.

In addition to the consultation event, a website was set up, giving the local community the opportunity to view the plans online and submit feedback electronically.

Chris Moulden, Director at Waypoint Asset Management Ltd, said: “The submission for the proposals at Hawkhill Retail Park marks the latest step in our goal of improving the offering at the retail park.

"If approved, the plans would see the existing unit converted to Class 1A use, enhancing the retail provision and creating a better customer experience for McDonald’s’ customers.

"I’d like to thank all those who have taken the time to provide feedback on the proposals throughout the consultation programme. We will continue to engage with residents and other local stakeholders throughout the planning process and beyond.”

Andrew Crewther, senior acquisitions surveyor, McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have submitted our proposals for the relocation of the current McDonald’s Restaurant at Hawkhill Retail Park.

"Our engagement with the local community has shown the appetite for an improved facility in the area, offering a purpose-built restaurant that will combine a new layout with the latest technology to create a more seamless and enjoyable experience.

"If approved, the restaurant would generate a significant inward investment of around £4million, while creating new jobs throughout the construction phase of the project.”

The consultation website https://mcdonaldsconsultation.co.uk/stevenston/ will remain open until the planning process is concluded.