AN APPLICATION for the new McDonald's opening in Hatch Warren to open 24/7 has sparked criticism amongst residents.

The fast food chain has asked for permission from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to open from 5am until 5am. 

The application also proposes ‘late night refreshment’ from 11pm until 5am from Monday to Sunday.

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(Image: Google/NQ) If approved, the branch would be the third McDonald's restaurant in Basingstoke with 24-hour opening times.

As previously reported, plans were approved on Friday, June 14 for alterations to be made to an unoccupied unit in Hatch Warren Retail Park. 

The unit was previously occupied by Poundstretcher but has remained vacant since the store's closure in October 2022 due to high rent prices.

The application has sparked criticism from residents, who have raised concerns about antisocial behaviour, noise and traffic.

Hatch Warren and Beggarwood borough councillor, Stacy Hart, said: "I know from all the ward residents I have spoken to since the McDonald's was announced how concerned people are about this, and especially about 24/7 opening hours."

The retail park has previously experienced issues with car meets, with the owners of the car park, JLL, hiring security guards to close the gates at night in July 2023 to deter the problem.

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She continued: "Hatch Warren Retail Park has been a hotspot for car meets and all their accompanying disruption and antisocial behaviour in the past, and it’s fair to assume that reopening the car park overnight and offering late-night hot food on top could attract them back.

"I have put an objection in against the application on that basis, so that it will receive additional scrutiny by the licensing committee, and have since received dozens of supportive messages from residents who also have these questions.”

The licensing application can be viewed on the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's licensing public register at 24/00890/PREMN.