A town council has objected to plans for a new ‘drive-thru’ McDonald’s and Costa on the grounds of highway safety.

A full planning application for a two-storey McDonald’s and single-storey Costa building opposite Tesco and adjacent to the new Wickes store at Willie Snaith Road in Newmarket was submitted in October.

The site would include drive-thru lanes, patio areas and 39 car parking spaces and eight cycle spaces.

The development was designed to utilise a residual piece of land remaining following the approval of the new Wickes store.

Single vehicle access to the site would be shared with Wickes leading off from the roundabout on Willie Snaith Road – which also provides access to Tesco.

Newmarket Town Council’s committee objected on grounds that the fast-food and coffee outlets would increase traffic and queueing on the highway as well as noise and fumes.

A resident in Fordham Road also lodged an objection to the development, stating: “I would like to object to a Costa and McDonald’s being built on land close to my home on the grounds of the increased traffic flow on two already busy and dangerous roads – i.e. Fordham Road and Willie Snaith Road – and also to the cooking smells coming from McDonald’s which will be a 24-hour operation. These restaurants are too close to houses.”

In the supporting planning statement for the development, agents Birketts said: “The proposal is on land which has historically been allocated as part of a larger site for employment related uses.

“In that context, the documents which accompany the application corroborate that the proposal will bring very real benefits which will not be outweighed by any perceived ‘harm’.”

The application also stated that McDonald’s – which currently has more than 1,250 restaurants across the UK – has “recently been undertaking a thorough review of its restaurant portfolio and is seeking to increase its representation in certain key locations”.

It added: “At the same time, McDonald’s has implemented a major brand refresh, both in terms of its product range and the design and fit-out of its restaurants. This application forms part of that overall strategy.”

A decision from Forest Heath District Council is expected before January 18.