PLANS to build a McDonald’s restaurant and Costa Coffee in Dovercourt have been unveiled.

The fast food giant has confirmed it is interested in opening a drive-through restaurant on land off Williamsburg Avenue.

If the scheme is approved, the two chains will bring more than 80 jobs to the area.

A statement written in support of the application said: “The development comprises a modern free-standing single-storey McDonald’s restaurant and Costa Coffee, both with drive-through facilities, car parking, landscaping and associated works.

“Provision is made for takeaway customers, both from the counter and from the drive-through lanes.”

The two businesses would be based on land south of the A120, next to a site already earmarked for 38 homes.

The statement adds: “The proposed McDonald’s restaurant is expected to employ a minimum of 65 full and part-time staff.

“With the exception of the management team, almost all of these will be recruited from the local community.

“The proposed Costa is expected to employ a further 18 full and part-time jobs with flexible shifts.

“This totals 11 equivalent full time jobs.

“The proposed jobs and investment locally would make a positive contribution to the social and economic value of the area.”

A new access road will be built to connect the site to Williamsburg Avenue, which already overlooks nearby land earmarked for 38 new homes.

Orion Land and Leisure submitted blueprints for the houses in 2016, which include 84 car parking spaces, paths, drives and landscaping.

Plans for homes on the same site were previously approved in 2012, but the permission has since lapsed.

Justin Hull, of Williamsburg Avenue, criticised the plans for a McDonald’s and Costa in a letter of objection, expressing a worry the road would cease to be a “nice quiet friendly area”.

“This site is not suitable for this type of establishment as it’s on to a busy road with poor access to Williamsburg Avenue already, without any extra traffic,” he said.

“Also this will bring more litter to the estate – plus the anti-social behaviour the area has to put up with late at night already coming from boy racers driving at high speeds over the Phoenix Bridge and round the retail park.

“I moved to Williamsburg Avenue on the understanding that this area was only being used for housing, which is during the daytime a nice quiet friendly area at the moment.”

A McDonald’s spokesman said: “We can confirm that a planning application has been submitted for a new drive- through restaurant in Harwich.

“If approved, the restaurant would create 65 full and part-time jobs and bring significant investment to the local community.”

Tendring Council will have the final say on the plans.

FRESH PLANS FOR A NEW MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT WELCOMED BY COUNCILLORS

  • PLANS to bring a McDonald’s restaurant and Costa coffee to Dovercourt have been hailed a boost to regeneration.

The scheme would bring the first McDonald’s outlet to the area, with a Costa already based nearby at Harwich Gateway Retail Park.

Harwich councillor Jo Henderson welcomed the jobs the businesses could bring to residents.

She said: “I think this can only be good news for the people of Harwich and Dovercourt.

“To have big brands such as McDonald’s and Costa invest in the area is a huge vote of confidence and will help to bring in greater numbers.

“The High Street businesses should benefit.

“People will likely travel from out of town to come to McDonald’s and they will be encouraged to travel to use our other facilities.”

She added: “I am hoping if quick process is made on building the restaurants, the nearby housing development will soon follow suit.

“I feel like the location is a good one and of course the jobs are much needed.”