McDonald's Planning Permission - Blacklion Manor

LifeBeginsAt40

Noticed a planning application dated 18th Jan 2013 for a McDonald's Burger Restaurant at Blacklion Manor / Lidl, Greystones.

Interested in views of local residents, as the area is mainly residential plus would be directly adjacent to the existing Educate Together / Irish primary schools and the new school also planned.

Is building a McDonald's directly in-front of a school complex not in total opposition to promoting healthy eating? Not to mention the amount of litter that WILL end up strewn along the mainly residential roads.

I for one, will be voicing my objections to the planning regulators. Bray already has an established McDonald's, is there a need for another one only a few kms away?

http://www.wicklow.ie/Apps/WicklowBeta/Planning/AppComment.aspx

Maudi

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

Noticed a planning application dated 18th Jan 2013 for a McDonald's Burger Restaurant at Blacklion Manor / Lidl, Greystones.

Interested in views of local residents, as the area is mainly residential plus would be directly adjacent to the existing Educate Together / Irish Schools and the new school also planned.

Is building a McDonald's directly in-front of a school complex not in total opposition to promoting healthy eating? Not to mention the amount of litter that WILL end up strewn along the mainly residential roads.

I for one, will be voicing my objections to the planning regulators. Bray already has an established McDonald's, is there a need for another one only a few kms away?

interesting..is the planning app at the proposed site?or did you uncover it somewhere else?

LifeBeginsAt40

Maudi wrote: »

interesting..is the planning app at the proposed site?or did you uncover it somewhere else?

It is at the Lidl/Blacklion Stores/Pebbles Cafe site, erected yesterday. A4 sized notice of planning application by McDonald's.

Sign close to main road, on the grass area by the butchers sign. OP now has images added of the application and application sign location.

quikquest

Its creating jobs, something that is needed in the area. Also if their is going to be so much rubbish strewn around - it will create more jobs for cleaning it up.

Maybe their is no need to another McDonalds a few Km's away, but obviously if they are opening one they think there is. Like I said, its creating jobs.

LifeBeginsAt40

quikquest wrote: »

Its creating jobs, something that is needed in the area. Also if their is going to be so much rubbish strewn around - it will create more jobs for cleaning it up.

Maybe their is no need to another McDonalds a few Km's away, but obviously if they are opening one they think there is. Like I said, its creating jobs.

Job creation is great, developing a McDonald's opposite the entrance to primary schools is completely irresponsible, both by McDonald's and the council. Schools encourage children to eat healthily, parents are encouraged to do the same. How is allowing a McDonald's to be built adjacent to primary schools responsible planning?

saintsaltynuts

He's done well that McDonald fella.I remember when he only had a farm.

quikquest

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

Job creation is great, developing a McDonald's opposite the entrance to primary schools is completely irresponsible, both by McDonald's and the council.

I don't see the hang up their at all! Kids go into newsagents and see adult magazines or walk down the street and see people smoking etc. Its up to THEIR parents to parent their kids and tell them what they can and can't have.

Having a Mcdonalds outside a school - whats the worst that can happen? Kids will want to go in and eat all the time? that's up to their parents and it is really not your business or mine (I don't mean that rudely)

It's up to the parents to bring up their kids properly and if they do or don't - is not our responsibility - we are only responsible for our own kids.

LifeBeginsAt40

quikquest wrote: »

I don't see the hang up their at all! Kids go into newsagents and see adult magazines or walk down the street and see people smoking etc. Its up to THEIR parents to parent their kids and tell them what they can and can't have.

Having a Mcdonalds outside a school - whats the worst that can happen? Kids will want to go in and eat all the time? that's up to their parents and it is really not your business or mine (I don't mean that rudely)

It's up to the parents to bring up their kids properly and if they do or don't - is not our responsibility - we are only responsible for our own kids.

I don't believe it is creating new jobs, I feel it will put pressure on the likes of Pebbles Cafe and other already established local cafes.

Peer pressure is what a lot of parents can do without at the entrance to a school. What is the point in teachers encouraging healthy eating when less than 60 seconds walk away is a restaurant well known for it's unhealthy food.

There is a place for McDonald's and it is not at the entrance to a primary school. There will also be the matter of increased vehicle traffic in and out of the Blacklion complex, which with further impact on the safety of parents and children.

You and I know, there will not be the funds for extra litter collection in the residential areas. The result will be residents collecting the waste and dumping it back over the tills. Good community relations are not built up this way.

Annasopra

I'm all for nanny state regulation and preventing obesity couldn't agree with you more LBA40.

Completely disagree with this idea that everyone is only responsible for themselves. Obesity is a serious public health issue and we should be actively educating and informing young children about healthy food options

LifeBeginsAt40

mango salsa wrote: »

I'm all for nanny state regulation and preventing obesity couldn't agree with you more LBA40.

Completely disagree with this idea that everyone is only responsible for themselves. Obesity is a serious public health issue and we should be actively educating and informing young children about healthy food options

I'd be far happier with a "healthy eating" restaurant or even a kids gym opening on the site. Why not a Zoom facility for kids to burn off excess energy?

My main objection is the site if DIRECTLY adjacent to a primary school. We're not talking a McDonald's on a by-pass or even 1/2 way down a high street. We are talking a drive-thru built right opposite.

If Wicklow CC cares about the health of the younger generation, they will see sense.

quikquest

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

I don't believe it is creating new jobs, I feel it will put pressure on the likes of Pebbles Cafe and other already established local cafes.

Peer pressure is what a lot of parents can do without at the entrance to a school. What is the point in teachers encouraging healthy eating when less than 60 seconds walk away is a restaurant well known for it's unhealthy food.

There is a place for McDonald's and it is not at the entrance to a primary school. There will also be the matter of increased vehicle traffic in and out of the Blacklion complex, which with further impact on the safety of parents and children.

You and I know, there will not be the funds for extra litter collection in the residential areas. The result will be residents collecting the waste and dumping it back over the tills. Good community relations are not built up this way.

Just because there is a Mcdonalds right across from a school does NOT mean all the kids will want to eat it and it does NOT mean that parents and teachers are failing in promoting healthy food.

If a parent gives in to peer pressure from their kids - its obvious they can't control their kids but again, that is not our responsibility.

How exactly will their be an increase in vechicle traffic into the Blacklion complex? It's McDonalds and unless their giving out free food I can't see any increase in traffic :rolleyes:

If it was the case surely then all shops beside schools should stop selling sweets because their not healty? Yet sweet shops have been beside schools for years and I don't see kids rolling down the streets that attend those schools because their is a sweet shop beside the school.

If any kids are not eating healthy it is NOT McDonald's fault or the schools or yours or mine. Its is simply bad parenting.

I lived right across from a McDonalds drive through for 2 years - can't say I noticed any rubbish issues tbh. If their are no funds for the rubbish clearing - well then you need to take that issue up with the council.

Regarding Pebbles Cafe - 2 different business models so shouldn't effect them. If it is effecting them then obviously their is a reason why and Pebbles needs to up its game. maybe business will increase because if, going by your thinking, parents are "Peer pressured", maybe the parents will send the kids to Mcdonalds and they will grab something in Pebbles.

Ireland needs jobs and even though its only a restaurant it will provide them to the local area both internally and it will create external jobs (Bin collection, maintence, increase spending etc) Staff will be buying fuel going to/from work, car will need to be maintained etc.

You know people need to stop fearing what can and can't happen as everything your worrying about is hypothetical - and their is no point worrying about it as really it doesn't effect your life. (again I don't mean that to sound snotty it comes across that way in text)

A company wanting to start a business in Ireland offering jobs in this day and age should be welcomed with open arms and parents should be parents and control what their kids can and can't have.

LifeBeginsAt40

How exactly will their be an increase in vechicle traffic into the Blacklion complex? It's McDonalds and unless their giving out free food I can't see any increase in traffic

The application is for a DRIVE-THRU restaurant, meaning that people will be encouraged to DRIVE to the location. So unless I'm being stupid there will be extra vehicles!!!!

Not looking for any personal information, but do you live in this area? I do and I WILL be affected. Hence my objections.

quikquest

mango salsa wrote: »

I'm all for nanny state regulation and preventing obesity couldn't agree with you more LBA40.

Completely disagree with this idea that everyone is only responsible for themselves. Obesity is a serious public health issue and we should be actively educating and informing young children about healthy food options

Obesity is a serious health issue - so then lets stop shops selling chrisps/chocolate/fizzy drinks? Lets stop pebbles selling cookies?

quikquest

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

The application is for a DRIVE-THRU restaurant, meaning that people will be encouraged to DRIVE to the location. So unless I'm being stupid there will be extra vehicles!!!!

Its not as if EVERY parent will pick up their kids and drive to the drive through at the one time!

Also, what if one of the units their has a SALE? Should this be banned now just because their might be an increase in carS?:eek:

quikquest

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

The application is for a DRIVE-THRU restaurant, meaning that people will be encouraged to DRIVE to the location. So unless I'm being stupid there will be extra vehicles!!!!

Not looking for any personal information, but do you live in this area? I do and I WILL be affected. Hence my objections.

I did up to 6 years ago and my parents live there now.

I think ill bow out now because I have made my point and don't want to argue I think you should focus on the GOOD it will do in the area and not the bad. And think about how will be good for economy. Let the teachers worry about teaching healthy food choices and then let then parents decide how to bring up their kids and if they want to implement the healthy food or bad food option. Some will flourish and some will fail. You can't win them all But no point in objecting to things that really are providing jobs in the area in a time that we need them.

LifeBeginsAt40

quikquest wrote: »

Its not as if EVERY parent will pick up their kids and drive to the drive through at the one time!

Also, what if one of the units their has a SALE? Should this be banned now just because their might be an increase in carS?:eek:

What???? People from far and wide will DRIVE to this McDonald's, with or without children. This is in addition to the already existing retail traffic and school traffic.

You are missing the point - McDonald's are entitled to open a store, just the same as casinos, pubs and lap dancing bars. My concern is NOT OUTSIDE a primary school complex.

A lot of 8 year old children walk to school on their own, at the moment there is not the temptation to purchase fries and a burger.

As for Pebbles Cafe, they sell cookies and coffee as you rightly state. As does McDonald's, so there is a clash of business interest.

pixbyjohn

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

The application is for a DRIVE-THRU restaurant, meaning that people will be encouraged to DRIVE to the location. So unless I'm being stupid there will be extra vehicles!!!!

Not looking for any personal information, but do you live in this area? I do and I WILL be affected. Hence my objections.

That road is already earmarked for major amount of traffic because it will eventually be the Blacklion to Delgany road serving several hundred proposed houses.
It is great to see someone like Mc Donalds invest in the area because they are usually a long term business and will create some employment. I have lived in the Greystones area all my life and think it is great to see more services setting up to serve the thousands of new and old residents in the area.

MyPerfectCousin

You make it sound like the council planners have a say in who is willing to risk investing in your neighbourhood. Obviously they have a say in approving or rejecting applications, but no one is going to open a "healthy eating restaurant" (or a Zoom facility) in that location because the council/a few locals want one.

I understand your concern about it, but it just doesn't work that way.

I also wonder if it is just the McDonalds name that is the issue. If it was Pineto or Joker's would you mind? Did you object to the Little Caesar's that was there?

Maudi

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

The application is for a DRIVE-THRU restaurant, meaning that people will be encouraged to DRIVE to the location. So unless I'm being stupid there will be extra vehicles!!!!

Not looking for any personal information, but do you live in this area? I do and I WILL be affected. Hence my objections.

i wonder would it create any objections if it was built near or in burnaby park?its already a hang out area for kids..or maybe down in the mill thats looking to be developed..better still..the green area beside the new playground in charlesland..

LifeBeginsAt40

pixbyjohn wrote: »

That road is already earmarked for major amount of traffic because it will eventually be the Blacklion to Delgany road serving several hundred proposed houses.
It is great to see someone like Mc Donalds invest in the area because they are usually a long term business and will create some employment. I have lived in the Greystones area all my life and think it is great to see more services setting up to serve the thousands of new and old residents in the area.

I think we're heading slightly off topic, one of my posts stated that there is a place for McDonald's. My concern is the location adjacent to a primary school.

It's the (lack of) promotion of a healthier lifestyle that should be of concern to planners. Why not allow the development to the South of the town, away from the boundary fence of the primary schools.

We would all object to a pub next to a primary school, so why is a McDonald's ok? They both cause long term health issues.

quikquest

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

What???? People from far and wide will DRIVE to this McDonald's, with or without children. This is in addition to the already existing retail traffic and school traffic.

You are missing the point - McDonald's are entitled to open a store, just the same as casinos, pubs and lap dancing bars. My concern is NOT OUTSIDE a primary school complex.

A lot of 8 year old children walk to school on their own, at the moment there is not the temptation to purchase fries and a burger.

As for Pebbles Cafe, they sell cookies and coffee as you rightly state. As does McDonald's, so there is a clash of business interest.

I get your point - but my point is so what if it is outside a school? This is where parenting skills come into effect. My child can walk past a McDonalds because they know they can only go their as a special treat (birthday or silimar) - they don't pressure me and if they did they would get punished. If a parent chooses to let their child eat in there all the time, thats nothing to do with me and I don't see why McDonalds shouldn't open their because of people like this.

A Lot of children walk past Takeaways, Spars, Centras on their way to school - its the same thing only sweets!

Yes as for Pebbles, cookies and coffee - either the compete in price or offer a nicer product ... simple really

quikquest

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

I think we're heading slightly off topic, one of my posts stated that there is a place for McDonald's. My concern is the location adjacent to a primary school.

It's the (lack of) promotion of a healthier lifestyle that should be of concern to planners. Why not allow the development to the South of the town, away from the boundary fence of the primary schools.

Promoting a healthier lifestyle is NOT a concern of planners! It is up to the PARENTS to be concerned on what their children are eating! If the parents ARE then brilliant, but if they are NOT their is nothing we can do about it or Mcdonalds or Teachers or Government.

no I wouldn't object if their was a pub beside a school because its not like kids are going to be tempted if they are brought up right. Also I can list about 100 schools RIGHT BESIDE PUBS!

Going by your theory - why aren't you objecting to shops besides schools?? They sell cigarettes which are bad for you. They sell sweets, cream cakes, some sell wine etc.... but I don't see many 8 year olds walking out from school with a bottle of wine in their hands and a cigarette in the other.

LifeBeginsAt40

MyPerfectCousin wrote: »

You make it sound like the council planners have a say in who is willing to risk investing in your neighbourhood. Obviously they have a say in approving or rejecting applications, but no one is going to open a "healthy eating restaurant" (or a Zoom facility) in that location because the council/a few locals want one.

I understand your concern about it, but it just doesn't work that way.

I also wonder if it is just the McDonalds name that is the issue. If it was Pineto or Joker's would you mind? Did you object to the Little Caesar's that was there?

Nope, I wasn't here then. I think the already established cafes in Greystones will see a reduction in foot fall. McDonald's has bulk buying power and therefore can and DO offer their coffee, soft drinks, fries and other convenience food at cheap prices.

Local take-aways can not compete with that. McDonald's creates low paying work, at the expense of established businesses.

LifeBeginsAt40

A move was made by the supermarket chains to remove sweets from besides the tills. This was in response to parents complaints about "pester power".

The same will occur with this development. I am a parent and could do without a major fast-food chain RIGHT outside the school entrance. Responsible planning is about job creation, job retention and support of local businesses.

Of course kids walk into town at lunchtime, but placing the temptation at the actual gates of a primary school is downright irresponsible planning.

quikquest

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

Nope, I wasn't here then. I think the already established cafes in Greystones will see a reduction in foot fall. McDonald's has bulk buying power and therefore can and DO offer their coffee, soft drinks, fries and other convenience food at cheap prices.

Local take-aways can not compete with that. McDonald's creates low paying work, at the expense of established businesses.

You keep changing your point, one minute its the road, then its the school now its pebbles. It seems you need to worry about affairs that effect you directly.

A McDonalds won't effect you personally unless you work in Pebbles and cross the road and have a child in the school.

It will CREATE competition! All those chippers and cafes you love will prob sell their products a little cheaper and you know what? It will give you more choice. You might find you would fancy a Mcdonalds and pop in for a meal.

JOB CREATION IS GOOD! If smaller food places are stuggling they need to up their game and come up with some cool ideas to increase business.

LifeBeginsAt40

quikquest wrote: »

You keep changing your point, one minute its the road, then its the school now its pebbles. It seems you need to worry about affairs that effect you directly.

If you care to read back to my OP, I think you will see I raised several concerns about this development.

I haven't changed any of my points. I mentioned the traffic, the location to a primary school and asked for opinions. Which is what we have here.

As others raise valid points (both for and against) I answer them with my opinion as best I can.
**YES this does concern me, as I do live close to the proposed development, I am a parent and I do think that the only way local businesses could reduce their prices to McDonald's levels is by letting staff go to reduce their overheads.**

quikquest

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

A move was made by the supermarket chains to remove sweets from besides the tills. This was in response to parents complaints about "pester power".

The same will occur with this development. I am a parent and could do without a major fast-food chain RIGHT outside the school entrance. Responsible planning is about job creation, job retention and support of local businesses.

Of course kids walk into town at lunchtime, but placing the temptation at the actual gates of a primary school is downright irresponsible planning.

I am a parent also and what is the worst that can happen? Your child says Daddy I want McD's... you say no the child crys? This is where you need to step up and explain to your child that tantrums won't be tolorated and he/she will be punished/grounded if it happens again. Problem solved.

Yes I remember when parents complained about "pester power". Ridiculous. Parents should have instead learnt how to parent their child and put manners on them. If my child made a scene in a shopping center over sweets, he would be grounded and disciplined. This is the problem too many parents can't seem to discipline their kids. They should watch Supernanny

quikquest

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

**YES this does concern me, as I do live close to the proposed development, I am a parent and I do think that the only way local businesses could reduce their prices to McDonald's levels is by letting staff go to reduce their overheads.**

Do you know this for a fact or is this you worrying about things that mightent happen? Do you know the margins Pebbles is making and other food outlets? Maybe some of the staff in the new mcdonalds might not eat their free lunch and get sick of it and go over to pebbles to buy their lunch. ?

LifeBeginsAt40

Why don't we allow McDonald's to finish off a section of the derelict harbour and have a restaurant there? That way the community benefits, parents wont have constant nagging on the way to and from a primary school and an already busy road adjacent to a primary school wont have even more traffic?

As I mentioned earlier, would any of us be happy with a casino or adult venue built next to a primary school? Why is it ok to allow kids to eat themselves to obesity and place the temptation within seconds of their school?

pixbyjohn

"Interested in views of local residents" This was in your first post. Now please stop arguing with those who give you their views. Take it up with the planning authority.

LifeBeginsAt40

pixbyjohn wrote: »

"Interested in views of local residents" This was in your first post. Now please stop arguing with those who give you their views. Take it up with the planning authority.

I have of course emailed the town planners. A bit harsh John as I am indeed reading and responding to the arguments on here. I thought this was the place to air our personal views.

Why should I be expected to remain silent, just because we all disagree. It's a democracy (even on boards) I'm very interested in how people think, which is why I try and respond with my views to encourage the debate.

Do you want me to ask the MODS to delete the thread and we can all pretend it never happened?

I'm all for listening to more views and I hope you are too. I'm not taking any comments to heart, there are matters in Greystones a lot of us agree on and there are matters we will never see eye to eye on. it shouldn't mean we cant "argue" like adults on a forum for the town.

LEIN

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

Nope, I wasn't here then. I think the already established cafes in Greystones will see a reduction in foot fall. McDonald's has bulk buying power and therefore can and DO offer their coffee, soft drinks, fries and other convenience food at cheap prices.

Local take-aways can not compete with that. McDonald's creates low paying work, at the expense of established businesses.

This will only increase competition imo.

Looking at the other thread, coffee is too expensive in Greystones anyway!!

LifeBeginsAt40

DD9090 wrote: »

This will only increase competition imo.

Looking at the other thread, coffee is too expensive in Greystones anyway!!

I do hope this is true. I don't want to see any business close. I'm just a concerned parent and resident of Greystones that thinks this was not the best choice of location due primarily to the immediate proximity of a primary school.

Reading the replies to my posts, perhaps I am not on the same wavelength of other parents in the area.

AJAYC

Can't wait for McDs in Greystones, great location too, with minimal traffic chaos, not sure why people target them over other take-aways. The standards of hygiene are exceptional as is the speed of service & the food is consistently good plus Ronald McDonald house near Crumlin Hospital is one of the best charity facilities in the country. It's a plus for the town.

prettygurrly

er...can I just point out that McDonalds is the ONLY fast food restaurant that has put the calorie content of their food in plain view and have changed the menu to ensure fresh fruit and salad is available. I don't see a local chipper selling that sort of variety...

I agree that having the McDonalds right outside the school would provide "easy access" but how about you parent your child and tell them that if they want a happy meal then they have the burger and fruit instead of fries. They also offer low sugar drinks to protect teeth. In fact, if kids understand that McDonalds is a treat and also eat healthily then surely it's going to be less of a taboo and therefore they might actually benefit from having the McDonalds outside the school. There's no big secret.

The next point I'd make is that someone said that the kids that walk home would have to "resist" going in...err when I was in primary school the most money I had available to me was about a pound a week to spend on sweets in the local shop...since when did 10 year olds have a fiver to spend on a happy meal? If your kids have that sort of finance you are giving them TOO MUCH MONEY!

Comparing McDonalds to a lapdancing club is ridiculous.

Finally, increased traffic? I think the increase in estates in the area are the bigger problem in that respect than a fast food restaurant...more local jobs would ensure less commuting traffic which is the much bigger concern in the Greystones and surrounding area.

skydish79

quikquest wrote: »

Its creating jobs, something that is needed in the area. Also if their is going to be so much rubbish strewn around - it will create more jobs for cleaning it up.

Maybe their is no need to another McDonalds a few Km's away, but obviously if they are opening one they think there is. Like I said, its creating jobs.

Are these jobs for nurses, doctors and consultants that people will need as a result of eating their crap?

prettygurrly

if people want to eat bad stuff all the time they will, regardless of a McDonalds nearby.

LifeBeginsAt40

AJAYC wrote: »

Can't wait for McDs in Greystones, great location too, with minimal traffic chaos, not sure why people target them over other take-aways. The standards of hygiene are exceptional as is the speed of service & the food is consistently good plus Ronald McDonald house near Crumlin Hospital is one of the best charity facilities in the country. It's a plus for the town.

I'd have the same objections to ANY major fast-food chain opening a store adjacent to the gates of a primary school.

I'm not questioning the amount of money the likes of McDonald's, Tesco's put into the community. I'm questioning why McDonald's chooses to build a fast-food outlet outside a primary school, adjacent to an existing cafe.

Why not on the R774, out of town?

McDonald's know their target market is young families and children, I can only guess this is why the Blacklion Manor location was chosen.

McD's will have primary schools and a proposed secondary school right on their boundary. As a parent trying to raise 2 children with a healthy balanced diet I find this "pester power-marketing" by McD's irresponsible.

LifeBeginsAt40

McDonald's calories - http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/getnutrition/nutritionfacts.pdf

I'm sorry, but this is NOT healthy eating by any stretch of the imagination.

Just one example from the list: Big Mac® 7.6 oz (215 g) 550 calories.

Yes they do indeed publish their calorific values for all their food, doesn't make it healthy does it?
A Big Mac is 51% of your daily recommended saturated fat intake, and 40% of your sodium (salt) intake. That's WITHOUT fries, coffee, apple pies, sauce etc.

It really is not healthy food in any way shape or form.

Annasopra

quikquest wrote: »

It seems you need to worry about affairs that effect you directly.

A McDonalds won't effect you personally unless you work in Pebbles and cross the road and have a child in the school.

Sorry but this is quite patronising and rude. If somebody is worried about something or objects to something it really isn't your place to tell them what they should and shouldn't worry about

pixbyjohn

"LifeBeginsAt40 Do you want me to ask the MODS to delete the thread and we can all pretend it never happened?"
No no not at all. Apologies if I sounded a bit harsh. I understand where you are coming from but there are so many things we could complain and object to. Near me there is a creche and the number of mornings that I have been almost run down with Mums rushing in their cars to get their precious passengers to creche on time is frightening. Look at the carparking outside of schools in the afternoons. Can I blame the Creche or the Schools for this? Come on, everyone must take responsibility for their own and childrens actions.

LifeBeginsAt40

pixbyjohn wrote: »

"LifeBeginsAt40 Do you want me to ask the MODS to delete the thread and we can all pretend it never happened?"
No no not at all. Apologies if I sounded a bit harsh. I understand where you are coming from but there are so many things we could complain and object to. Near me there is a creche and the number of mornings that I have been almost run down with Mums rushing in their cars to get their precious passengers to creche on time is frightening. Look at the carparking outside of schools in the afternoons. Can I blame the Creche or the Schools for this? Come on, everyone must take responsibility for their own and childrens actions.

Totally agree John (I walk to / from school - but another topic). There are no hard feelings towards anyone on Boards and thanks for replying.

Please accept my apologies for being harsh too.

Heisenberg1

mango salsa wrote: »

I'm all for nanny state regulation and preventing obesity couldn't agree with you more LBA40.

Completely disagree with this idea that everyone is only responsible for themselves. Obesity is a serious public health issue and we should be actively educating and informing young children about healthy food options

Children's Healthy eating is the sole responsibility of the parents and nobody else. If parents let there children eat crap from McDonald's all the time the children's health will suffer in the long term.

LifeBeginsAt40

mango salsa wrote: »

Sorry but this is quite patronising and rude. If somebody is worried about something or objects to something it really isn't your place to tell them what they should and shouldn't worry about

As I mentioned in reply, it does concern me directly on several issues.

Heisenberg1

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

I'd have the same objections to ANY major fast-food chain opening a store adjacent to the gates of a primary school.

I'm not questioning the amount of money the likes of McDonald's, Tesco's put into the community. I'm questioning why McDonald's chooses to build a fast-food outlet outside a primary school, adjacent to an existing cafe.

Why not on the R774, out of town?

McDonald's know their target market is young families and children, I can only guess this is why the Blacklion Manor location was chosen.

McD's will have primary schools and a proposed secondary school right on their boundary. As a parent trying to raise 2 children with a healthy balanced diet I find this "pester power-marketing" by McD's irresponsible.

Don't eat there then. I think you will finds its a decision you make and not the marketing that has you in there eating.

Annasopra

Heisenberg1 wrote: »

Children's Healthy eating is the sole responsibility of the parents and nobody else. If parents let there children eat crap from McDonald's all the time the children's health will suffer in the long term.

I totally totally disagree with this. The state also has responsibility through education, public healthcare and through in this case responsible planning

LifeBeginsAt40

Don't eat there then. I think you will finds its a decision you make and not the marketing that has you in there eating.

McDonald's (with their child friendly mascot) promotes the idea in young children of it being cool and acceptable to eat burgers, chicken nuggets and chips as a main meal or a snack.

Adults can make the choice to be obese or not. Instilling the idea into a young child's head that McDonald's is a healthy or "cool" choice is crazy.

As adults we make our choices based on knowledge and understanding, children cannot make those choices. We as adults have to make them on their behalf.

McDonald's, Burger King, KFC all market their food at a generation that has yet to consider the real health issues concerned with a bad diet.

Yes, our children are still at an age where they cannot eat in McD's (or similar) on their own, however there will come a time when we do not have absolute control over their choices and when parents aren't there, peer pressure becomes a very powerful force indeed.

This is why I object to fast-food outlets being located next to schools. For me the location IS an issue. Not the job creation or indeed the facility, the location outside a primary school is ill advised.

prettygurrly

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

McDonald's calories - http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/getnutrition/nutritionfacts.pdf

I'm sorry, but this is NOT healthy eating by any stretch of the imagination.

Just one example from the list: Big Mac® 7.6 oz (215 g) 550 calories.

Yes they do indeed publish their calorific values for all their food, doesn't make it healthy does it?
A Big Mac is 51% of your daily recommended saturated fat intake, and 40% of your sodium (salt) intake. That's WITHOUT fries, coffee, apple pies, sauce etc.

It really is not healthy food in any way shape or form.

I didn't say that their burgers are healthy, I said they have healthy options such as fruit and salad and low sugar drinks to protect teeth.

Kids don't eat big macs so your point isn't actually fair.

At least they have told you that their big mac has 550 calories so you, as an adult, can decide to have one AS A TREAT. I can't understand why people are treating this as if McDs are holding a gun to everyone's head...."you must eat our burgers because we have opened a shop"...if that was the case then we'd never get into the McDonalds in Drogheda as there's 40000 people catered by that outlet. It's never particularly busy by the way and well within the walk home for THOUSANDS of kids.

(I grew up near Greystones and my parents still live there by the way)

Maudi

LifeBeginsAt40 wrote: »

Noticed a planning application dated 18th Jan 2013 for a McDonald's Burger Restaurant at Blacklion Manor / Lidl, Greystones.

Interested in views of local residents, as the area is mainly residential plus would be directly adjacent to the existing Educate Together / Irish primary schools and the new school also planned.

Is building a McDonald's directly in-front of a school complex not in total opposition to promoting healthy eating? Not to mention the amount of litter that WILL end up strewn along the mainly residential roads.

I for one, will be voicing my objections to the planning regulators. Bray already has an established McDonald's, is there a need for another one only a few kms away?

only a gob****e and someone who probably is a tad lacking in parenting skills would answer yes if asked 'is outside a childrens school the ideal place for a fast food outlet?

LifeBeginsAt40

It's the targeting of school children that I have an issue with, plain and simple. This is not a discussion about adults using McDonald's, it's a post about the location of a fast food restaurant who market an unhealthy product.

If all we want in Greystones is a Drive-Thru McDonald's then build it on a dual-carriageway away from a dense residential area and 2 primary schools. McDonald's want to be at Blacklion Manor because they want to target children at an early age, in clear view and 60 second walk. Plain and simple.

We as responsible parents should be asking the question, is that acceptable when the medical facts on a balanced diet are clear to see.

There is hope yet, though this was refused on the zoning of the land > http://buckplanning.blogspot.ie/2011/02/bord-pleanala-turns-down-plan-for.html

Annasopra

I was in America in 2008 canvassing lots of really poor areas for Obama. It was completely obvious to me that McDs specifically targeted the poor areas. In this case they are targeting schools and I would agree with LBA40.