Plans to open a new McDonald’s restaurant opposite a GP surgery have divided some residents.

The US fast food firm wants to move into a vacant unit at Swanley Square Shopping Centre.

A change of use application to alter the site at units 29 and 30, from a bank to a restaurant and hot food takeway, was validated by Sevenoaks council last Monday (March 25).

The building was last occupied by Barclays Bank, which had been based there until its closure in November 2021, and sits opposite The Cedars doctors surgery.

If approved the plans would see alterations made to the elevations of the site with the relocation of the entrance and the installation of new doors and glazing.

McDonald’s has submitted a separate application seeking permission to erect its iconic signage displaying its yellow “golden arches” at the plot.

The main proposals would also reconfigure the existing car park and service yard access along Nightingale Way.

In total, there would be 70 car parking spaces provided including eight disabled spaces and three parent and child parking spaces.

In addition, there would also be three parallel parking spaces at the front of Unit 30 and five spaces for motorbikes, adding an extra four spaces to the site.

So far there have been three responses to the “drive to” application, with two objections raised and one neighbour outlining their support.

Concerns were voiced around traffic and litter, while positives noted included added jobs and a reduction in journey times travelling to the fast food giant’s nearest branches.

One objector responding to the plans online said Swanley shopping centre was in need of an “uplift” but didn’t think the plans were the answer.

They claimed the takeaway would cause “further downgrading to the area” adding: “Swanley does not need another McDonalds. There is already a McDonalds on the A20 which is quite sufficient to serve this small town.

“To place it in the town will cause more traffic which is already an existing problem, more litter also an existing problem especially since KFC moved into the area, more food smells and waste thus drawing more vermin which is already an existing problem.”

“It will also cause upheaval and disturbance to the residents of Nightingale Way and further lower the tone of what was once a pleasant and well used shopping area.

“This is definitely the wrong site for any fast food business and should be stopped from degrading and causing further problems to the town.

However, a traffic note prepared on behalf of the applicants noted while there would likely be a “slight increase in trips” during peak evening windows this would have a “minimal impact on parking”.

It concluded there were no traffic or highways reasons why te application should not be recommended for approval.

Some neighbours also voiced their support for the vendor’s plan, noting it would “bring jobs in to the area”.

It was also acknowledged residents would have less distance to travel to get to the nearest McDonald’s branches which are located in Orpington and at the A20 Swanley service station.

Existing food retailers at Swanley Square include KFC, Subway, Costa Coffee and Iceland.

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

The deadline for comments on the application is April 17.

McDonald’s was approach for comment.