Winchester is set to get it first drive-thru McDonald's after plans were permitted by the city council.

The plan is for the new restaurant to be part of the Tesco car park, in Easton Lane.

The new restaurant is expected to create more than 65 new jobs, which McDonald’s seeks to recruit from the local area.

Currently Winchester only has one McDonald's restaurant, in St George's Street.

Winchester City Council's planning committee permitted the plans unanimously, despite concern over traffic and access.

The site will provide 33 parking spaces, two accessible spaces and three grill bays. There will be four bike stands. 

Andy Key and Cllr Sue Cook spoke to the committee in objection.

READ MORE: German Doner Kebab could be opening in Winchester this weekend

Mr Key said: “This application undermines the council's climate change objectives. My main concern is the access road. It will see a significant increase in traffic in that area. We believe the application should be refused.”

Cllr Cook said: “We do welcome the employment it brings. However, we as a council, have declared a climate emergency and this does not help us. I ask that the committee refuses this application.”

Cllr Paula Ferguson, who represent the St Bartholomew ward, said: “We recognise this could provide employment for local people. Our concerns relate to transport issues. The impact it could have on significantly increasing traffic. 

“We understand that it will be open 24 hours a day, so we have concerns over the increase in night-time traffic. Should we be encouraging this when we have declared a climate emergency?”

Cllr Jane Rutter chaired the meeting in the absence of Cllr Thérèse Evans. 

Cllr Rutter said: “This is difficult because we have to decide it on planning considerations.

“I hope McDonald's will engage with local residents and improve the cycling and pedestrian access. 

“Litter is not a planning consideration, so we have no power over that unfortunately. 

“There is also no planning reason for it not to be open 24/7. From a planning perspective, there is no reason to refuse any part of it.”

The plan was permitted unanimously.

A McDonald’s spokesperson previously said: “We can confirm that we have submitted an application for a new drive-thru restaurant in Winchester, with the proposed location being the area of under-utilised car park alongside Tesco. We look forward to progressing with this application and believe a new McDonald’s restaurant would bring significant investment to the local community, as well as create at least 65 new jobs.”