Plans for McDonalds to open in a closed-down former restaurant in Morecambe have taken a step forward.
Lancaster City Council officers have recommended that several planning applications from the fast food giant be given permission, with conditions.
McDonalds want to open a new outlet in the former Frankie and Benny's and Burger King premises on Hillmore Way, just off Central Drive near Morrisons.
The building has been closed for five years.
The council's planning regulatory commitee are expected to make a final decision on planning permission, at a meeting on Tuesday May 27.
McDonalds has submitted five separate planning applications for the site.
They include for replacement doors and glazing, changes to the car parking layout and bin store area, landscaping including outdoor seating areas and planting, and a number of illuminated signs.
A Lancaster City Council report, published ahead of the meeting, said:
"The building has extant consent for use as a restaurant with opening hours controlled by the 1995 consent, and as such a change of use and revised opening hours do not form part of this assessment.
"The application site has been empty and deteriorating for some time, and the proposal would see the unit re-used, bringing it back into an active economic generating use and improving the visual condition of the building.
"The amended scheme is also acceptable in terms of highways, pedestrian connectivity, noise, odour, and biodiversity.
"Therefore the proposal is compliant with the relevant local and national policies, and is recommended for approval.
"The existing building is in a poor condition. The proposed extensions and external alterations including removal of the existing detached bin compound would result in an improved visual amenity, and are appropriate given the setting of the wider commercial area."
The premises was originally built in the mid-1990s as a drive through Burger King takeaway, until Frankie & Benny’s took over the site in 2008, removing the drive through and extending into the former drive through lanes.
Frankie and Benny’s vacated the site in 2020, and it has remained disused since then.
The building is located on the corner of Hilmore Way and Central Drive, and shares an access point on Hilmore Way and car park with a gym and pizza takeaway who co-habit the former Blockbuster video shop.
The site is close to the Morrisons supermarket, Morrisons Petrol Station, B&M, The Range and Next shopping area, and car park.
The council report also says: "Bringing this site back into use will increase the volume of pedestrian, cycle and motor vehicle traffic using the road, footway and greenway when compared to the current vacant situation, although the site is already established for restaurant use with existing access and parking.
"A small number of parking spaces will be under the control of (McDonalds), including accessible spaces, at the restaurant entrance.
"Customers will also have access to the City Council-operated Hilmore Way car park, which has recently changed its tariffs to allow 60 minutes free parking.
"There are proposals by Lancashire County Council and Sustrans to upgrade cycle routes in the local area, including widening the pavements on Central Drive, which will address increased use of the cycle way and improve highway safety.
"Following feedback from the City Council and County Transport Planning Team, designated pedestrian routes from Hilmore Way/Morrisons and the Central Drive bus stops into the application site are to be provided, to ensure good pedestrian connectivity and promotion of linked trips."
Last year, plans for Burger King to open a drive-through on the site, were withdrawn.
Read more: EXCLUSIVE: Plans for Burger King drive-through in Morecambe axed - Beyond Radio
Planning permission was granted for a 'change of use to restaurant and drive through takeaway' at the site in June 2023, but Burger King shelved the plans.
McDonalds already has nearby outlets on Morecambe Road, in Lancaster city centre and at Caton Road in Lancaster.
Read more: Plans revealed for new McDonalds restaurant in Morecambe - Beyond Radio
The meeting of the planning committee, a group of elected councillors, will take place on May 27 at 10.30am at Morecambe Town Hall. It is open to the public.
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