McDonald’s has officially withdrawn its plans to expand the drive-thru restaurant located at Weston Lock Retail Park in Bath. Earlier this year, the fast-food giant, along with Best Experience Limited, submitted a proposal to Bath & North East Somerset Council to add a single-storey extension to the Grade II-listed Avon House, home to the existing restaurant.
The planned expansion aimed to enlarge the kitchen area to address growing customer demand since the restaurant’s original approval in 1998. Additionally, the proposal sought to improve drive-thru speeds and redirect delivery couriers to the rear of the building, enhancing the dining experience for customers. Internal modifications were also intended to provide staff with better working conditions.
Acknowledging potential impacts, the applicants admitted that the extension would cause “some harm” to the heritage fabric of Avon House. However, their robust heritage assessment concluded that the harm would be negligible and classified as “less than substantial,” largely due to previous significant changes in the building’s setting from surrounding developments.
They argued that the public benefits—including improved operational efficiency and employment opportunities—would outweigh the minimal heritage impact. The redevelopment was projected to create approximately 80 construction jobs during a six-week build phase and add 10 full-time equivalent roles at the restaurant, alongside enhancing employment for delivery and supplier services.
Despite these justifications, McDonald’s recently decided to withdraw the application. The official withdrawal notice to the council did not provide any reasons for this decision, simply confirming that the application had been formally retracted following a request.