RESIDENTS are objecting in numbers to plans to demolish as car sales showroom and workshop in the heart of Grays and build a drive-through McDonalds takeaway.

An application has been submitted to Thurrock Council to clear the site currently the home to the Brayley car dealership, adjacent to Orsett Road and its junction with Stanley Road, and replace it with the restaurant.

McDonalds says the proposal represents a 'multi-million-pound investment by a national operator in Grays' and the restaurant is expected to employ more than 120 full and part time staff, which McDonald's plans to recruit from the local area.

Somewhat confusingly the application describes the site as operated by Brayley Honda – though it is currently a Mazda-branded franchise. It also describes the site as a 'former showroom' though Brayley continues to operate there selling both new and used vehicles.

The site on Orsett Road.

McDonalds plan to build a restaurant to seat 48 people and the site includes 23 car parking spaces and a drive through to service windows.

Two electric vehicle charging points will be been provided within the car park.

The full planning application and the opportunity to comment – alongside a number of residents who have already registered their views (all objections as of Saturday, 1 June) – can be found via this link.

Concerns have also come from statutory consultees.

Thurrock Council's public health team has checked the application and says: "We are not assured that the proposed drive-thru would have 'have no material impact on the operation of the surrounding road network' as asserted." 

That is a view strongly echoed by the council's transport team which says: "Transport Development strongly objects to this proposal."

The council's environment team has monitored the existing site and says: "This development has the potential to cause noise and dust impacts on surrounding residential properties and conditions are recommended to protect the amenity of existing residential properties close to the site."

However, the external Environment Agency has no significant concerns.

Among the residents and neighbours that have objected,  Ella Munteanu who is manager of the adjacent Bluebell Nursing Home, says: "The introduction of a fast-food drive-thru could result in an increase in litter and environmental pollution. Maintaining a clean and safe environment is critical for our residents, and the presence of a fast-food establishment could compromise our efforts to provide such an environment."