The American fast-food giant has submitted a planning application for an internally illuminated McDonalds sign to go up alongside a “golden arch” sign on Northlands Pavement. If approved, the new McDonalds would replace the former R and R Carpets store which closed in March this year ahead of a move to Basildon town centre. It is understood the new restaurant will have no seats and be purely for collections and delivery drivers.
The new McDonalds would be just a four-minute walk from a the fast food chain’s restaurant in Pitsea Retail park, in High Road. There are already five other McDonalds across the Basildon borough and the move has sparked concerns over the impact on the health of residents. Pitsea South East Labour councillor Ben Westwick said: “I think it encourages younger children to eat fast food which is not the best type of food.
“It is enabling the younger generation to eat fast food and obesity will grow in Basildon. “The children of the future need more selection than just McDonalds, I don’t think this is a great idea and it makes me feel worried for the future generation, all they will have is fast food. “It enables the youth of today to eat unhealthily and develop health problems.
” NHS Digital figures show 3,370 of 16,665 Year 6 pupils measured in Essex were classed as obese or severely obese in 2022-23. It meant 20.2 per cent of 10 and 11-year-olds were in the highest two BMI categories as they prepared to leave primary school.
Pitsea South.
