A councillor is backing a fast food giant to win its appeal for permission to build a new restaurant in the face of vast opposition - and says many more agree.

McDonald's submitted a planning application in January 2022, for what would be its 11th restaurant in the city, to replace Sprowston company Richard Nash Cars next to the M&S petrol station in Mousehold Lane.

The move has been criticised by locals and councillors since being announced, but there are people who are hotly anticipating the thought of more Big Macs.

Eastern Daily Press: An overhead digital render of what the proposed McDonald's restaurant in Mousehold Lane might look likeAn overhead digital render of what the proposed McDonald's restaurant in Mousehold Lane might look like (Image: Norwich City Council)

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Glenn Tingle, vice-chairman of Old Catton Parish Council, has lived in Mousehold Lane for 13 years and believes the drive-through restaurant bringing in more jobs and footfall to the area is only a good thing.

Mr Tingle said: "I'm about 50 yards away from the proposed McDonald's and in my opinion, it's a good development for the area.

"I've had a chat with all my neighbours in the area and they're in support of it.

"There have been issues raised about traffic and pollution, but how can it raise traffic concerns when there's a car lot and a 24-hour garage there already?

Eastern Daily Press: Glenn Tingle, vice-chairman of Old Catton Parish Council, who's lived in Mousehold Lane for 13 yearsGlenn Tingle, vice-chairman of Old Catton Parish Council, who's lived in Mousehold Lane for 13 years (Image: Archant)

"It's all gone through with highways and it's not a particularly dangerous stretch of road.

"I'm not really one for a nanny state so you've got to give people a choice and then it's up to them what they do."

McDonald's and the city council have until September 19 to state their cases but a decision date for the appeal is yet to be set.

Mr Tingle claimed a place on Old Catton Parish Council in an uncontested election in 2019 having previously run for election as an MP with Ukip.

He was suspended by the Conservatives in October 2021 for "disgusting" social media posts before winning a seat on Sprowston Town Council, although is no longer on the town council.

He added: "A lot of people against it don't seem to be living anywhere near to where it's being built.

Eastern Daily Press: Mr Tingle said the development would bring in new jobs and increased footfall to the areaMr Tingle said the development would bring in new jobs and increased footfall to the area (Image: Norwich City Council)

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"I'm not sure why they're protesting something where they don't even live.

"There will be job opportunities both while it's being built and when it opens and provides a level of convenience for people in Sprowston and Mousehold.

"I think McDonald's will win its appeal - they wouldn't have invested in the land if they didn't think they'd end up building on it."

Eastern Daily Press: Plans were initially submitted for the Sprowston McDonald's in January 2022Plans were initially submitted for the Sprowston McDonald's in January 2022 (Image: Norwich City Council)