Medway Council has given the go-ahead for a new 24-hour Burger King drive-thru restaurant in the Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre in Gillingham. The move, after a lengthy planning process, marks a significant development for the region. It will create new jobs and increase the centre’s diversity, but for many local residents, it also generates much concern.
The approval allows for the construction of a new fast-food outlet, which will be in operation round the clock. The premises will take one of the existing car parks on the north side of the site, near Marks & Spencer.
A new landmark for Hempstead Valley
The new restaurant will not only have a drive-thru lane but will also have an internal seating area, with the intention of providing for a combination of customers throughout the day and night. This is a new development for the Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, which has become a landmark in the area since 1978.
Employment Creation a Key Benefit
The biggest point in favour of the application was the new jobs promised. Burger King UK has unveiled plans for the creation of as many as 36 new jobs, from management roles to part-time jobs for the locals. This represents a substantial benefit for the area of Medway, which has ambitions to improve the local economy.
Community Issues Arose During Planning
The move wasn’t without local opposition. Several residents expressed vigorous objection to the effect of a 24-hour operation on the quality of life.
Noise, Litter, and Traffic
Noise and light pollution were among the primary worries. Residents living close to the shopping centre feared that constant activity, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours, would be a major disturbance.
“The round-the-clock noise and lights are going to be a real issue for us,” one resident noted.
The issue of littering was another point of contention. Opponents argued that the community would experience increased littering by a new fast-food outlet, and especially one which is open 24/7.
Transport was a third concern. Residents feared that increased traffic would lead to congestion and safety issues. However, council transport planners concluded that the existing road network could handle the anticipated increase in vehicles.
Conditions for Approval of the Council
In a bid to reconcile the needs of the company with those of the locality, the Medway Council agreed to the plan subject to some main conditions.
Minimising Influence on Residents
In response to littering, the council will insist on the installation of more bins and a regular schedule of patrols. In response to noise and light pollution, special controls have been implemented to reduce the effect on residents in close proximity.
The council has an express obligation to ensure the new development, when in operation, complies strictly with these conditions. It is a condition of the agreement and provides some reassurance to the community.
Changes to Parking
The new restaurant development will involve altering the parking at the site. It will replace a former car park with 36 spaces and will have 16 dedicated car parking spaces, two of which are for disabled individuals.
Four new cycle spaces are also to be included on the site to accommodate other forms of transport.
A Broader Strategy for Hempstead Valley
Burger King approval forms part of the larger strategy for the future of the shopping centre. The management of the centre regards the new drive-thru as a means of upgrading and diversifying the experience on offer and attracting more individuals to come and stay for extended durations.
Tapping into the Digital Economy
The decision to operate 24 hours a day also highlights a shift in consumer habits. The rise of food delivery services like Deliveroo and Uber Eats has created a significant market for late-night food. The new drive-thru will be well-positioned to serve this market, functioning as a hub for delivery drivers during off-peak hours.
Economic vs. Social Implications
The decision is a delicate balancing act. From the economic point of view, it’s a good investment, with new employment and additional tax receipts. But the social effect is complicated. While the employment is a definite boon, some have criticised the jobs created as frequently low-paid. The council’s ultimate decision concentrated on the use of land, traffic, and amenity effects and not on the host of public health effects of the fast-food product itself.