MCDONALD’S has launched its own rival petition to canvass support for a new Perdiswell drive thru and restaurant.

But the fast food chain has not commented specifically on the petition when asked to by the Worcester News.

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Representatives from the fast food chain were recently spotted asking people if they wanted a new outlet in the city and collecting signatures.

A reporter approached them while they were stood in the doorway of The Cross outlet and asked if the petition was linked to the proposed Perdiswell outlet, and they confirmed it was.

McDonald’s has applied for planning permission to build the new restaurant at the Droitwich Road site, in the Perdiswell House building that was previously Harvester.

The application seems certain to be called in for a final decision to be made by Worcester City Council’s planning committee. Earlier this week we reported no date had been set for this meeting. If approved it would be the fourth McDonald's in Worcester.

When asked about the petition, a spokesman for McDonald's head office sent us this comment: "We have acquired a site in Perdiswell which we plan to develop into one of our restaurants.

"Like all our restaurants in communities around the UK, the new restaurant will employ on average 65 people and bring new investment to the local community. It would be fantastic to be able to offer more jobs within the local area with great training opportunities for everyone. As one of the UK’s largest employers, we’re proud of the wide range of people who work with us, from students and graduates, to parents and grandparents as well as those interested in a change of career.”

There has been fierce opposition to the plans, with more than 1,600 signing the petition 'Stop McDonald's at Perdiswell'. That petition, launched by Claines Councillor James Stanley in June, highlights that if approved it would be near a new school opening in September, opposite a youth centre with a skate board park and "it will create additional litter and attract anti-sociable behaviour to the area".

On McDonald's rival petition, Cllr Stanley said: "They are entitled to do that, people are entitled to voice their views in support. Our opposition campaign will hope to convince the committee, with the weight of evidence."

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