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Hundreds of anti-McDonald's protestors packed into a church hall to draw up
a battle plan. NOMAC organised the meeting...to rally support and raise cash
for the campaign [against a proposed McDonald's drive-thru at the gates of
Alexandra Palace Park, Hornsey, N.London].
Supporters in the audience included..the McLibel defendants Dave Morris and Helen Steel. Mr Morris said: 'I believe in the public's right to decide what happens in their community. Just carry on fighting. Even if they start building it, you can sit in front of the bulldozers. The more bad publicity they get, the more they will want to back out.' Residents from across the borough explained their reasons for objecting to the scheme.... The residents pledged to write letters to the planning chiefs and all the councillors on the planning committee. They decided to lobby members at the next council meeting and ask for an independent traffic survey. Plus 2 photos: of residents' protest at the site, and of Helen & Dave 'still fighting'. |
McDONALD'S TO LOSE?
Haringey Advertiser; July 2nd 1997
Haringey Council looks likely to reject the application to build
a McDonald's drive-thru in Hornsey, The Advertiser can reveal.
The borough's head of planning, Peter Bishop, admitted the plan was
contrary to Haringey's policy.
And one local resident claims a planning officer told him: "No-one should
worry about the McDonald's proposal because there is no way on earth
the council will agree to it".
Although he would not go that far, Mr. Bishop said: "We share many of
the concerns of local people". He added: "Local people's views are the most
important issue in considering this scheme. We're especially worried
over the loss of an employment area and traffic congestion."
Beverly Christy, who lives in Redsvon Road and is a member of the newly-
formed Say No To McDonald's Camapgin, welcomed the comments.
She said "I'm absolutely delighted but not completely surprised because
I can imagine there are a lot of negative points about building a
McDonald's such as the increase in litter and traffic pollution."
However, the council's planning department can only advise councillors
on how to vote on the drive-thru.
Park ward councillor Ray Dodds, who is the chairman of the planning applications
subcommittee, said there would have to be viable reasons for rejecting the
proposal.
He explained: "So long as the planning department gives us a good reason
to refuse McDonald's then we will follow their recommendation.
"But there must be strong reasons such as environmental problems or its
sustainability."
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Haringey Council looks likely to reject the application to build
a McDonald's drive-thru in Hornsey, The Advertiser can reveal.
The borough's head of planning, Peter Bishop, admitted the plan was contrary to Haringey's policy. And one local resident claims a planning officer told him: "No-one should worry about the McDonald's proposal because there is no way on earth the council will agree to it". Although he would not go that far, Mr. Bishop said: "We share many of the concerns of local people". He added: "Local people's views are the most important issue in considering this scheme. We're especially worried over the loss of an employment area and traffic congestion." Beverly Christy, who lives in Redsvon Road and is a member of the newly- formed Say No To McDonald's Camapgin, welcomed the comments. She said "I'm absolutely delighted but not completely surprised because I can imagine there are a lot of negative points about building a McDonald's such as the increase in litter and traffic pollution." However, the council's planning department can only advise councillors on how to vote on the drive-thru. Park ward councillor Ray Dodds, who is the chairman of the planning applications subcommittee, said there would have to be viable reasons for rejecting the proposal. He explained: "So long as the planning department gives us a good reason to refuse McDonald's then we will follow their recommendation. "But there must be strong reasons such as environmental problems or its sustainability." |
Residents shocked by McDonald's plan
HORNSEY IS TARGETED
Haringey Advertiser; June 25th, 1997
McDonald's is planning to transform a derelict vehicle repair depot in
Hornsey into the boroughs first drive-thru restaurant.
The artists's impression above shows a leafy drive-thru restaurant with just
a few cars to spoil the view.
It seems that public relations is the key word at this stage of the negotiations
between the burger giant, Haringey Council and local residents.
The proposal, which was received by the Council last Thursday, involves transforming
the Arcade Motors building, which lies at the junction of Priory Road and the
Alexandra Palace approach road, into a 90-seat restaurant creating up to 75 jobs.
McDonald's spokeswoman Katherine Langley said the restaurant would cope with existing
demand from local residents and said research showed a demand for it.
The news that McDonald's has chosen Hornsey as a base for a drive-thru restaurant
should come as no surprise.
For months there has been speculation that the company was planning to build
a restaurant in Haringey, with a site in either Crouch End or Hornsey Waterworks
being the firm favourites.
If the council grants planning permission McDonald's hopes the restaurant will
be up and running by the end of the year.
Local people will be 'strongly opposed'
John Ridgeway, who is a spokesman for the Priory Road Residents' Association,
says the majority of Hornsey people will be strongly opposed to the plan.
He said: "A McDonald's will cause absolute chaos because of the increase in noise, traffic
and litter.
"It seems completely out of place for this leafy, green part of the borough to plump
a massive drive-thru right in the middle of it.
"I don't agree with McDonald's that the people of Hornsey, Muswell Hill and Crouch
End want this kind of restaurant in the area."
Mr. Ridgeway added that emergency meetings would be taking place with neighbouring
residents' associations to coordinate a campaign against the plan.
Gerry Saunders, who is the chairman of the Rookfield Residents' Association, said
he wanted to know more about the company's plans.
He explained: "Local people need more information about this scheme before we
mount a strong campaign to oppose it."
Roberts Andrews, who is a spokesman for the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Residents'
Association, said he believed a huge row would erupt between McDonald's and local
residents.
"This is the start of a saga which likely to run and run," he said.
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McDonald's is planning to transform a derelict vehicle repair depot in
Hornsey into the boroughs first drive-thru restaurant.
The artists's impression above shows a leafy drive-thru restaurant with just a few cars to spoil the view. It seems that public relations is the key word at this stage of the negotiations between the burger giant, Haringey Council and local residents. The proposal, which was received by the Council last Thursday, involves transforming the Arcade Motors building, which lies at the junction of Priory Road and the Alexandra Palace approach road, into a 90-seat restaurant creating up to 75 jobs. McDonald's spokeswoman Katherine Langley said the restaurant would cope with existing demand from local residents and said research showed a demand for it. The news that McDonald's has chosen Hornsey as a base for a drive-thru restaurant should come as no surprise. For months there has been speculation that the company was planning to build a restaurant in Haringey, with a site in either Crouch End or Hornsey Waterworks being the firm favourites. If the council grants planning permission McDonald's hopes the restaurant will be up and running by the end of the year. Local people will be 'strongly opposed'John Ridgeway, who is a spokesman for the Priory Road Residents' Association, says the majority of Hornsey people will be strongly opposed to the plan. He said: "A McDonald's will cause absolute chaos because of the increase in noise, traffic and litter. "It seems completely out of place for this leafy, green part of the borough to plump a massive drive-thru right in the middle of it. "I don't agree with McDonald's that the people of Hornsey, Muswell Hill and Crouch End want this kind of restaurant in the area." Mr. Ridgeway added that emergency meetings would be taking place with neighbouring residents' associations to coordinate a campaign against the plan. Gerry Saunders, who is the chairman of the Rookfield Residents' Association, said he wanted to know more about the company's plans. He explained: "Local people need more information about this scheme before we mount a strong campaign to oppose it." Roberts Andrews, who is a spokesman for the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Residents' Association, said he believed a huge row would erupt between McDonald's and local residents. "This is the start of a saga which likely to run and run," he said. |