A scheme for a new McDonald’s Drive Thru restaurant has been lodged with the Isle of Wight Council.
The fast-food giant is proposing a branch with car parking, landscaping and associated works, including Customer Order Displays, on land next to Esplanade Garage on Three Gates Road in Cowes.
Submitted plans represent a multi-million-pound investment and the premises would employ more than 120 full and part time staff, which McDonald’s aims to recruit locally, according to Planware.
Petition opposes the plans
However, a petition started earlier this year opposing the Drive Thru has garnered 1,440 signatures.
Alexis Hollis’s Change.org appeal warns the public of ‘the lights, noise, litter and the constant cars’ which it said could disturb the local community and ecosystems.
It said,
“Traffic is already a concern on Three Gates Road.
“With its current levels, adding a fast-food Drive Thru could lead to severe congestion, making weekday commuting a nightmare and compromising road safety.
“This proposal not only threatens to degrade our living environment but also sets a worrying precedent for future developments in residential areas. It’s crucial that we act now to protect the unique character of Cowes from unnecessary urbanisation.”
Planware’s statement said,
“Pre-application advise was sought, with a meeting held with officers and written advice being received in September 2025.
“This has helped inform the application. Two public consultation events have been held, one virtually and one in person event, which has also helped shape the application.
“We have demonstrated how the scheme is considered sustainable development environmentally, socially and economically.”
The consultants said sufficient parking would be provided with the restaurant, including accessible bays located as close as possible to the entrance.
They also described the proposal’s design and layout as appropriate in the area, with natural and neutral colours and materials.
View the plans
You can view the plans on the council’s planning register (25/01634/FUL).
The public consultation runs until 23rd January and a decision is expected on 13th February 2026.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
