Local Residents Against McDonald's

Alexandra Palace

HORNSEY, NORTH LONDON, ENGLAND

Residents Win!

But it ain't over yet ...

5th August 1997
Another blow for McDonald's

McDonald's have today withdrawn their planning application to build a drive-thru store at Alexandra Palace, Haringey, North London. Local residents had opposed the store on the grounds of increased traffic and litter, and exploitation of children and workers among other issues.

Last week, on 28th July, residents picketed a meeting of Haringey Council and handed in a petition signed by 4889 local people (collected in 5 weeks) calling on the Council to refuse to grant planning permission to McDonald's.

At the time of lodging its planning application (Mid June) McDonald's wrote to nearby residents about the supposed benefits the proposed store would bring, and referred to a 1,600 GBP donation to a local Under-5's play centre. A local newspaper revealed that in fact the play centre had written to McDonald's turning down the money for fear it would be seen as an attempt to influence the outcome of the planning application. A McDonald's spokeswoman confirmed that the money was turned down but denied the donation had been an attempt to win public support for the planned new restaurant.


McDonald's cites 'commercial reasons' for withdrawing their application, but it is obvious that despite attempted bribes to the community they have been forced to back down because of the overwhelming opposition of local people.
Site of proposed McDonald's drive-thru
NOMAC - The "Say No To McDonald's" campaign - was responsible for rallying local residents - 300 of whom attended the first meeting and for setting up a web site in support of the campaign.

Local press has also covered the story. Some of that coverage is available here.

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