WORK has begun in earnest on groundworks for the 24-hour Crediton McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru on land at Joseph Locke Way, next to Mole Avon Country Stores.

Infrastructure arrived, fencing of the site took place and diggers began to clear scrub and dig out the site.

Lorries are now expected to remove a vast quantity of earth from the site.

It is expected, weather permitting, to be an 18-week turnaround, which could mean that the restaurant and drive-thru might even be open in time for Valentine’s Day on February 14!

A tipper vehicle piling high earth removed from the site for Crediton McDonald’s. AQ 4477
A tipper vehicle piling high earth removed from the site for Crediton McDonald’s. AQ 4477 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) earlier this year approved the plan for the restaurant and drive-thru with a number of conditions:

1) A financial contribution of £35,281 to be allocated and spent towards measures necessary to assist with the flow of traffic through the Western Gateway, St Lawrence Green and the High Street in Crediton and for the provision of two additional electric vehicle charging points above the two required by Policy making four in total to address air quality within the Crediton Air Quality Management Area.

2) A financial contribution of £15,000 toward the Shop Front Enhancement scheme. The shop front/business enhancement scheme is specifically targeted at SME businesses preparing and serving food: (Use classes E(a), E(b) and sui generis) that are situated within the Crediton Town centre boundary.

3) £5,000 for Devon County Council for double yellow lines through the TRO process and to secure the land on the Eastern Side of Joseph Locke Way, North of the junction to the proposed entrance to provide for a cycle/footway to the junction.

A JCB digger removing earth at the Crediton McDonald’s site. AQ 4475
A JCB digger removing earth at the Crediton McDonald’s site. AQ 4475 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

120 JOBS

McDonald’s says the restaurant is a multi-million-pound investment by a national operator in Crediton and that it is expected to employ more than 120 full and part-time staff, which McDonald’s will seek to recruit from the local area.

There will be seating for 76 in the restaurant with 36 car parking spaces, inclusive of provision for two accessible bays, two grill bays and four electric vehicle charging bays (one being an accessible bay).

The Crediton McDonald’s site. Image: McDonald’s planning documents.
The Crediton McDonald’s site. Image: McDonald’s planning documents. (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

There will also be cycle bay provision.

McDonald’s agreed to a number of planning alterations to its submitted plan, namely, changing the access to the site to benefit neighbours (Mole Avon), reducing the height of signage, trees, planting, lighting, signage, enhancing landscaping and including local materials to the building.

A pedestrian crossing is expected to be built between the McDonald’s restaurant and the Tesco side of the road in Joseph Locke Way.

Work taking place on the Crediton McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru site on land at Joseph Locke Way. AQ 4474
Work taking place on the Crediton McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru site on land at Joseph Locke Way. AQ 4474 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Following the submission of final documents and agreements being signed between McDonald’s, Tesco, Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council, following several time extensions, the full planning permission was approved on September 13, 2024.

An example of the style of McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru proposed for Crediton but which now it is proposed will be built with a red brick exterior and smaller M design. Image: McDonald’s planning documents
An example of the style of McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru proposed for Crediton but which now it is proposed will be built with a red brick exterior and smaller M design. (McDonald’s planning documents)

McDonald’s says it is serious about waste sustainability, litter picking and responsibly disposes of waste and keeping areas clean and tidy.

Works to build the restaurant must take place between 8am and 9pm, with no works on Sundays or Bank Holidays.