COUNCILLORS in Oswestry have given a lukewarm reaction to potential plans for a McDonald's restaurant in the town.

Plans were submitted to Shropshire Council last month for the drive-thru in Shrewsbury Road – near Morrisons supermarket – with Oswestry Town Council's planning committee meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the proposals.

While no-one objected to the plans, a number of councillors raised their concerns at potential issues brought about by a new fast-food restaurant.

Town mayor Councillor Duncan Kerr led the responses, calling for a reduction in the planned signage by the fast food giants, as well as increased cycling storage provision and reducing potential for increased rubbish.

He said: "I certainly don’t object to this application but I think the signage is excessive.

"These are also points I made about Morrisons and Lidl. It’s off-putting for town centre business and there’s too much.

"We also need to know what cycling provision there is and the main issue is refuse and rubbish. We need to make sure there is enough available bins and access on site.

"We could even ask them to make some donation or contribution to our town centre in case of littering in other areas."

Cllr Peter Cherrington was next to speak, and as he echoed the mayor's thoughts, he also called for a 'sensible' level of lighting along the restaurant.

He added: "I am supporting the mayor on signage, and I want to make sure the lighting output is within reason.

"It is on a main road and I don’t want people met with bright lights as they’re driving."

Shropshire councillor Paul Milner, who also attends North Shropshire planning committee meetings, told councillors that he also supported Cllr Kerr, but also called for Oswestry to remain unique in what it offers.

He said: "I agree with the mayor. It's yet another fast-food restaurant coming to Oswestry and I hope it’s welcoming.

"But we need to get people into town, not on the outskirts before they are back on the bypass.

"Oswestry should be unique in one way, should have things other towns don’t have and while I’m not knocking this, we need something unique."

It was resolved that the council would comment on the application calling for reduced signage, more cycling provision, and a call for a donation to ensure rubbish is kept to a minimum.

All other items on the agenda were noted without comment.