Little joy for McDonald's in commission decision

The bid by McDonald’s to build a large fruit and vegetable store in Balmoral has been turned down.

The fast food giant went to a hearing late last year in an effort to get a certificate of compliance for the proposed store.

Independent commissioners decided against McDonald’s, saying the development did not comply with the district plan.

The restaurant chain had no intention of building the veggie store on the corner of Balmoral Rd and Wiremu St, but applied for permission to give a baseline of allowed activity on the site.

The Auckland City Council told the applicant the activity would need resource consent because factors like building alterations would fall outside the district plan, and issues around increased traffic and carparking.

McDonald’s took its fight for a certificate of compliance to a hearing on December 4.

Balmoral Community Group spokesman Nathan Inkpen says the group wanted to speak at the hearing but was not allowed.

"They can hear about an imaginary fruit and veggie store, but they can’t hear from the residents."

But he is delighted by the hearing decision, which was released on December 23.

"We’re really pleased," he says. "Although we’re not sure exactly what the decision means further down the track."

"It’s the wrong development on the wrong location.

"How many more people do they need to tell them they need to rethink that site?

He says McDonald’s forcing the issue has backfired on them.

The group is now an officially registered charity and Mr Inkpen says membership is increasing.

"We’re looking at raising more funds. We need to pay experts to fight this thing," he says.

The proposed restaurant would be a 24-hour drive-thru with 63 carparks.

A McDonald’s spokeswoman says it is working with the council to finalise its main application to build the restaurant in Balmoral.

"We look forward to proceeding to a hearing soon."

- © Fairfax NZ News