A new McDonald’s Drive Thru restaurant scheme has led to a wave of supporting letters being sent to the Isle of Wight Council.
County Hall has so far received more than 40 comments in favour of the fast-food giant’s plans for a branch with car parking, landscaping and associated works, including Customer Order Displays, on Cowes’s Three Gates Road.
The proposal represents 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.
Opposing the scheme
Four objections have been logged on the council’s planning portal to date, with concerns including noise and light pollution, traffic congestion, odours, rubbish, unhealthy food availability, the development’s proximity to four schools and ‘general unsociable actions’.
Cowes resident Laura Wilds said,
“We need to reduce childhood obesity by limiting access to unhealthy food options where children gather.
“McDonald’s have suggested that they offer healthy foods… who is going to choose a salad when they can have a burger? How ridiculous.”
Support for the plans
Points raised in favour of the branch include greater employment, saving journeys to the McDonald’s in Newport, litter being picked up by staff, convenience for drivers, inexpensive food, McDonald’s being ‘extremely popular’ with families and the proposal’s economic benefit.
Michael Ringer, who lives in Cowes, said,
“I support this application because Cowes has very few options for young families, and for those on a low income.
“Restaurants in the area are disproportionately expensive compared to the rest of the Island, and generally inaccessible/inappropriate for young children.”
Bobby Walkden said,
“I support this application because it’s local, makes for a quick cheap dinner after a long day without having to travel to Newport or Ryde, which can be chaotic during busy periods or frequent road works as well as a great place to socialise that’s outside the main high street.
“It’s also somewhere close by with great opening hours for grabbing a bite on a dog walk around the area.”
New jobs
Another town resident, Sarah Brandham, said the development would bring more jobs for young people and offer them a place to meet with friends. She told the council,
“At present, there isn’t anywhere reasonably priced for them to do this in Cowes.”
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
