McDonald’s has dropped controversial plans to build a drive thru restaurant in Bracknell – after claims it would “undermine” healthy living and cause traffic problems.

The fast food giant applied to Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) for planning permission to build a new restaurant at the former site of a Ford showroom on Downshire Way, just outside Bracknell town centre.

But the plans were met with a backlash – with the council’s planning department receiving 66 letters of objection and just three in support.

BFC's public health department also said the restaurant would “undermine” its work in one of the most deprived areas of the town.

It said: “The restaurant would be located in the Priestwood and Garth ward. This is one of the most deprived wards in Bracknell Forest. Deprivation is associated with poorer health outcomes, higher levels of disability and an increase in risk-behaviours that will further impact on health and lifestyle.

“Local data shows that children and young people in the Priestwood and Garth ward are more likely to be overweight/obese compared to other wards in the borough.”

It added: “In terms of existing exposure to fast food, there are eight fast food restaurants located in the area including pizza, kebabs, Chinese food, burgers and fish and chips.

“The current proposal would undermine the work that the council is undertaking to support healthy lifestyles and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity rates amongst both adults and children.”

Meanwhile, Bracknell Town Council warned that the drive-thru would cause congestion and parking problems on the surrounding roads.

It said: “The amount of traffic a drive-thru McDonald’s generates will cause traffic queues not only at peak times and particularly weekends but at any time.”

It added: “The surrounding businesses/dwellings on the adjacent Easthampstead road already suffer from members of the public using their car parks but not their facilities. A McDonald’s in this small area would just cause more illegal parking.”

READ MORE: Bracknell residents slam proposals for new McDonald's

The restaurant would have been just a four-minute drive from the already existing McDonald’s Drive-Thru at The Keep and a 15-minute walk from its outlet in The Lexicon.

In a supporting statement to the council, McDonald’s said the drive-thru at The Keep is “overtrading.” It argued that a new restaurant would bring “a range of local jobs to the area.”

But council planning officers confirmed on Wednesday, September 6, that the application had been withdrawn.

McDonald’s did not respond to a request for comment.