A LARGE crane has been lifting parts of the new McDonald’s restaurant in Crediton into place.

Crane assembling new McDonald's restaurant on site off Joseph Locke Way, Crediton
Crane assembling new McDonald's restaurant on site off Joseph Locke Way, Crediton (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

It arrived at the site off Joseph Locke Way next to Mole Avon Country Stores on Sunday, January 5. Work began on the building yesterday, Monday, January 6.

The giant crane which arrived on the Crediton McDonald's site on Sunday, January 5. AQ 1518
The giant crane which arrived on the Crediton McDonald's site on Sunday, January 5. AQ 1518 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Mid Devon District Council granted planning permission for the project in September. Excavations began in October, with a large amount of earth removed and foundations put in place.

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)

The 24-hour restaurant and drive-thru is due to open after an 18-week turnaround, which could mean it will be ready on Valentine’s Day, February 14.

More than 120 full- and part-time jobs are expected to be created.

There will be seating for 76 people in the restaurant with 36 car parking spaces, including two accessible bays, two grill bays and four electric vehicle charging bays (of which one will be accessible). There will also be space to leave bicycles.

Mid Devon District Council put several conditions on the build when it approved the plans.

The first is a financial contribution of £35,281 to be spent on traffic flow measures through the Western Gateway, St Lawrence Green and the High Street in Crediton and two extra electric vehicle charging points.

The second is another contribution of £15,000, which will be invested in the town centre in the form of the shop front enhancement scheme. The scheme is targeted at small and medium-sized businesses preparing and serving food.

A further £5,000 will allow Devon County Council to provide double-yellow lines and to secure land on the eastern side of Joseph Locke Way, north of the junction to the proposed entrance, for a cycle path and footpath.

McDonald’s agreed to some alterations to its submitted plan. These include changing the access to the site to benefit its neighbours (Mole Avon), reducing the height of signage, enhancing landscaping and including local materials to the building.

Works to build the restaurant must also take place between 8am and 9pm, and not on Sundays or bank holidays.

McDonald's has recently submitted plans to the council to display two fascia signs, three booth lettering signs, one digital booth screen, all illuminated and a yellow golden arch (revised scheme) at the site.