Legal challenge to planning for McDonald’s near Wicklow schools

A secondary school has launched a legal challenge to planning approval for a McDonald’s restaurant located less than 100 metres from its front entrance and two other schools.

Temple Carraig secondary school, Greystones, Co Wicklow, claims McDonald’s Restaurants Ireland Ltd chose the location for its planned drive-through restaurant at Blacklion Neighbourhood Centre because it is close to three schools which expect to cater for 1,800 students.

The decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant approval for the restaurant fails to take account of national policy concerning the health of children and to reduce childhood obesity, it is alleged.