McDonald's bid to open until 5am in Swindon prompts objections
A planned restaurant on Whitehall Way could serve food through the night if a licence is approved
Plans for a new McDonald's restaurant in Swindon to serve food between eleven at night and five in the morning have prompted objections from people living nearby.
McDonald's has applied for a premises licence covering those hours, seven days a week, at a planned restaurant on Whitehall Way.
The site was previously occupied by Pizza Hut, which closed in January 2025.
Eight formal objections have been submitted to Swindon Borough Council's licensing panel, which is due to meet on Thursday 1st October to consider the application.
One objector said they were worried about the impact of late-night opening on the surrounding area.
"I am worried that allowing such a business to run from 11pm-5am could contribute to increased incidents of anti-social behaviour, littering and crime into the local area especially in Goldsborough Close, Longstock Court and Shaw Ridge Primary School which are the closest to the Shaw Ridge Leisure Park," they said.
Another raised concerns about the nearby road layout: "The surrounding road infrastructure is poorly equipped to handle the increased traffic volume a drive-thru generates.
"The nearby roundabout is already small, congested and difficult to navigate safely.
"Introducing additional vehicles queuing and turning into the site for drive-thru service will increase the risk of accidents and create major traffic delays."
A third objector, who lives near Lydiard Park, raised concerns about litter: "I live near Lydiard Park, which I love and think is a great asset to Swindon.
"However it is already plagued with discarded McDonald's waste, which is a hazard to wildlife and domestic pets, as well as spoiling a beautiful parkland.
"People buy takeaway food and drink, and just throw wrappers, cups and bags on the ground."
Some of the objections raised, including the number of existing McDonald's outlets in Swindon and general planning matters, fall outside the licensing panel's remit.
However, several objections relate directly to licensing law, including the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
The application was submitted by law firm Shoosmiths LLP on behalf of McDonald's Restaurants Limited.
It includes measures intended to address the concerns raised, including litter patrols, waste management protocols, and asking customers to be mindful of noise when placing orders and leaving the restaurant.
No objections were raised by the police, fire service, or environmental health teams.
However, the number of public objections meant the application was referred to the licensing panel for a decision.
According to the report prepared for the panel, McDonald's has not responded to the objectors through its agent, despite being given the opportunity to do so during the consultation process.
A similar extension in opening hours was previously granted to the McDonald's branch at Orbital Shopping Park, despite concerns from people living nearby about noise and antisocial behaviour.
A noise assessment carried out after that change found no evidence of excessive disturbance, according to the report.
The Whitehall Way site has already undergone redevelopment since Pizza Hut closed, including demolition of the old building.
The floor plan submitted as part of the original planning application indicates that the building would mainly be used for the preparation of orders, with no outdoor seating plan outlined.
The report prepared for the panel states that in determining the application, the licensing panel is required to have regard to the Licensing Act 2003, Swindon Borough Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2026, the Section 182 Guidance issued by the Secretary of State in February 2026, and all relevant objections submitted.
The application will be decided at a meeting of the licensing panel on Thursday 1st October at 3:45pm.