Plans revealed for new McDonald’s restaurant in Carnforth

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 08:48

By Beyond Radio News

An impression of what a new McDonald's in Carnforth might look like

The fast-food chain McDonald’s have revealed plans to open a branch in Carnforth.

McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd have applied for planning permission to develop a site next to the Porsche centre on Electric Drive, just off junction 35 of the M6, which would include a drive-thru restaurant with access, servicing, car parking, hard and soft landscaping and other associated works.

The opening hours would be noon until midnight, seven days a week, including bank holidays.

As Beyond Radio revealed in October 2024, the company have held ambitions to open a branch in the town, in a move they say could bring up to 120 new jobs to the area.

An exercise to gauge local support ran for seven days and collected 232 emails in favour of the scheme, while more than 1,700 leaflets were distributed to local addresses.

Across a15-day consultation period, a consultation website attracted 738 page views with a total of 424 individuals completing the online questionnaire.

The nearest McDonald’s to Carnforth is currently at Sunnyfield, just off the Bay Gateway in Morecambe, or Caton Road in Lancaster.

Planning documents state: “The site extends to 0.52 ha and includes the existing junction serving the Porsche Centre from the B6601.

"Full planning permission is sought for a 377 square metre drive-thru restaurant to be operated by McDonald’s.

"The proposed development offers an attractive modern aesthetic which reflects the character of the wider Carnforth 356 development and adjacent Porsche Centre.

"The site comprises a broadly square plot on the northern edge of Electric Drive. The restaurant building is positioned centrally within the plot, with a patio area with outdoor seating to the northeast.

"A substation is proposed to the east of the main entrance into the site.

"The proposed development includes 41 car parking spaces including two accessible bays, two electric vehicle charging bays and two grill bays.

“Pedestrian crossings are integrated into the layout which will connect the restaurant to the wider network of pedestrian routes at Carnforth 356.

"Six cycle parking spaces are proposed adjacent to the restaurant entrance and two further staff cycle spaces will be provided internally.

"A hard and soft landscaping scheme forms part of the development proposals.''

Above: The site of the proposed McDonald's on Electric Drive in Carnforth

"Hard landscaping elements include the tarmac car park, footpaths and concrete drive thru lane.

"Keyblock paving is proposed around the immediate area surrounding the restaurant to the east, south and west, including the patio.

“Tactile paving is proposed to denote the drop kerb crossings within the site.

"In this case, McDonald’s commercial requirement is for a drive-thru restaurant to serve the residents of Carnforth which has been identified as an underserved market.

"It will also provide a facility for users and employees of the future employment uses on the wider Carnforth 356 development, as well as existing businesses in the local area.

"Given its location, the restaurant will also attract trade from vehicles travelling along the M6.

"McDonald’s considers the application site is an ideal location to meet its commercial requirements.”

Councillors at Lancaster City Council will decide on the application in due course.

You can view the application, reference number 25/00562/FUL, here