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McDonald’s plans for new A2 restaurant at London-bound Gate Services in Dunkirk, between Faversham and Canterbury, set to be determined soon

Plans to open a new McDonald’s restaurant on the site of a former Travelodge are set to be determined soon.

The fast-food giant tabled plans in 2023 to launch at the A2 London-bound Gate Services at Dunkirk, between Faversham and Canterbury.

How the McDonald's at Dunkirk, between Faversham and Canterbury, could look. Picture: McDonald's UK
How the McDonald's at Dunkirk, between Faversham and Canterbury, could look. Picture: McDonald's UK

If approved, the 79-seater eatery will also act as a drive-thru for motorists and will join the new Costa drive-thru that opened last year.

Swale Borough Council, which is considering the application, has confirmed the application is set to be determined soon.

“As with any planning application, we consult with statutory bodies to gather the information we need to make a reasoned decision, which can require further work by the applicant,” a spokesman said.

“All this takes time, but we’re at the latter stages of this now, so it shouldn’t be too long until we are able to determine the application.”

The Travelodge at Gate Services, Dunkirk, closed in May 2023
The Travelodge at Gate Services, Dunkirk, closed in May 2023

McDonald’s would not comment on whether its new restaurant is on track to open this year.

“As of right now, we don’t have any further updates on this restaurant,” a spokesman said.

Bosses at the burger giant say the restaurant could employ more than 120 people.

It is not yet known if the eatery will be open 24 hours – with McDonald’s advising more details will become available nearer the time.

In papers submitted to the local authority, teams working on behalf of the fast food chain said: “The proposals provide the opportunity for McDonald’s to meet a long-standing requirement for a restaurant to serve this catchment area, to meet customer demand and introduce additional choice in the market.

Sheila’s Kitchen before it was transformed into a Costa Coffee at Dunkirk, between Faversham and Canterbury
Sheila’s Kitchen before it was transformed into a Costa Coffee at Dunkirk, between Faversham and Canterbury

“The proposed development represents a multi-million-pound investment creating jobs both during the construction and operation phases, resulting in many associated economic benefits for the local area.

“The site represents an appropriate location for a drive-thru restaurant, which will be well placed to offer refreshments to passing customers and those in the surrounding area.”

More than two years after proposals were first put forward, Costa opened in April last year – with the scheme being granted planning approval in October 2022.

The site owner, Motor Fuel Ltd, which runs the adjacent Esso garage, had previously applied for permission to launch a new coffee shop at the rear of the filling station, which was approved.

However, it opted instead to sympathetically convert the old coaching house, adding a small extension for the drive-thru.

The Grade II-listed building at Gate Services was a Little Chef between 1986 and 2005, before becoming Sheila’s Kitchen, a diner.

The disused Travelodge was torn down in late-2023.

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