PLANS for a new McDonald’s, Popeyes and a Starbucks have been rejected by town hall planners.
Developers had proposed a new development known as Woodbury Park on undeveloped land behind the Shell garage at Bere Regis along the A35.
Nearly 200 jobs could have been created from the proposal, which was first unveiled in summer 2022.
But Dorset Council planning officer Thomas Whild said the benefits of new jobs would not outweigh the “harm that would arise” from the “conflict” with the development.
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He claimed that children would hang around there and eat fast food because it is so close to schools and the recreation ground.
“The proposed development would result in the creation of four fast-food outlets within walking distance of the Bere Regis recreation ground, a location where children and young people are likely to congregate,” he said.
As a result, Woodbury Park would conflict with a national planning policy that aims to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places.
Aerial view (Image: CGI by Ophir Architecture)
Mr Whild added that Goodwin Developments had not provided enough detail in its planning application for National Highways to make its decision or that the nearby trees wouldn’t be impacted.
National Highways had expressed concern that there could be queuing traffic outside the park from Popeyes’ drive-through.
These reasons, among others, were why Dorset Council had to reject it, a report said.
The Popeyes restaurant would have been the first of its kind in Dorset and the south west – with most of its restaurants being within the M25.
It could have employed 35 full time staff, while McDonald's could have employed 120 full and part time staff.
Popeyes (Image: Popeyes)
During the consultation, 107 people wrote to Dorset Council to object to Woodbury Park, while 21 had no objections.
Bere Regis' residents had concerns over congestion at peak times, the likelihood of conflict in the site due to the circulation design and the park being used as a rat run.
But those in favour celebrated the possibility of new jobs and the positive impact it could have had on the village.
Mr Whild said: "The applicant was offered the opportunity to submit amended plans to overcome concerns identified by the case officer but chose not to do so.
"The applicant and council have worked together to minimise the reasons for
refusal."