McDonald’s is again at the centre of a planning debate in Swindon, with two separate proposals under consideration. One involves an appeal over opening hours in the north of the town, while another seeks permission for a new restaurant in West Swindon.
The fast food chain has appealed against a decision by Swindon Borough Council to refuse a twenty four hour drive thru at its site at Orbital Retail Park in Priory Vale. At the same time, McDonald’s has submitted a planning application to open a new outlet at the former Pizza Hut building in West Swindon.
The appeal over later opening hours relates to concerns about noise and disturbance during the night. Residents have previously complained about engine idling, queuing vehicles and general disruption linked to the existing drive thru.
The council refused the application after concluding that the noise assessment did not demonstrate residential amenity could be protected. Parish councillors have since reiterated these concerns to the Planning Inspectorate, highlighting past enforcement issues and the experiences of nearby households.
Cllr Vinay Manro, chairman of Haydon Wick Parish Council, said,
“Residents are not opposed to development, but they are opposed to being kept awake at night. This location is immediately behind people’s homes, and past experience shows how difficult overnight noise issues can be to control.
Our concern is that once a 24-hour operation is approved, enforcement becomes reactive rather than preventative, and residents are left living with the consequences.”
In West Swindon, the proposed new McDonald’s would occupy the former Pizza Hut unit, which closed permanently in early 2025. The closure formed part of a wider restructuring of the brand’s UK operations following administration and the shutdown of many dine in restaurants.
The application for the West Swindon site is currently being assessed by planners and is open to public comment. No decision has yet been made.
The proposals come amid wider national action on public health and diet. From January 2026, paid for advertising of foods high in fat, salt or sugar online and before the 9pm watershed was banned, while restrictions on some price based promotions came into force in October 2025.
Concerns about diet related illness remain an issue locally. National and local health data has consistently shown high levels of excess weight among both children and adults, raising long term health concerns.
Tim Howe, founder of the Longevity Games in Swindon, said:
“Let’s be honest, Swindon already struggles with inactivity and poor diet. Too many people are not moving enough and are relying on quick, high-calorie food because it’s cheap, easy and everywhere.
When fast food keeps expanding faster than healthier options, it stacks the odds against people making better choices. Planning decisions are not neutral, they actively shape how healthy or unhealthy daily life becomes in this town.”
Supporters of the McDonald’s proposals point to employment opportunities and consumer demand. Critics argue that more outlets and longer opening hours risk reinforcing unhealthy eating habits.
The Planning Inspectorate will decide the outcome of the Orbital Retail Park appeal. The West Swindon application will continue through the standard planning process, with residents able to submit their views.
