McD's labelled a nightmare neighbour

One couple's experience of living near a 24-hour McDonald's has added to fears of residents fighting to keep the fast food giant out of Balmoral.

Jane Lowe and Stuart Fraser have lived across the road from McDonald's on Great South Rd, Greenlane, for three years.

They are upset by constant noise and litter.

"We didn't realise how intrusive it would be. If we had known, we would have thought harder about moving there," says Ms Lowe.

Every night the couple is woken by people eating outside their home after buying food at the drive-through.

"They park outside with the car still running and they are often loud cars. It's not usually a quiet bunch of people."

Every morning the couple clean up the rubbish left behind from the late night meals.

Several times Mr Fraser has been forced to clean up vomit.

"It's just disgusting. I can understand why the people near the Balmoral site don't want one," Ms Lowe says.

Balmoral Community Group spokesman Nathan Inkpen says locals are afraid the same behaviour will occur in their neighbourhood.

"We've heard horror stories and we don't want the nightmare to visit Wiremu St and the surrounding areas."

McDonald's plans to build a 24-hour restaurant fronting Balmoral Rd and Wiremu St.

Plans include 63 carparks and a 10-metre sign on the Balmoral Rd entrance.

The Eden Albert Community Board requested a local resource consent hearing after 850 people made submissions, mostly in opposition.

Councillor Glenda Fryer says she's not aware of another local issue attracting so much feedback.

"A fair number of people want to be heard," she says.

A McDonald's spokeswoman says the company wants to make a positive contribution to the Balmoral area.

"The site proposed for the restaurant is zoned by the council as suitable for business, and is currently used as a retail furniture showroom and warehouse.

"McDonald's is working within the rules of the Auckland City District Plan in applying for resource consent.

"It's now a matter of continuing the resource consent process, and through the hearing, responding to people's concerns about possible effects on the area."

The spokeswoman says the restaurants don't generally attract anti-social behaviour at night, but have a positive effect because of increased lighting and security cameras.

"Only 5 to 6 percent of our business is between midnight and 6am. It's not a huge volume time for us."

- © Fairfax NZ News