Planning approved for McDonald's in Strabane

Plans were agreed this week that will see first set of famous golden arches in Tyrone town.

A local councillor announced the news over social media at the start of the week, declaring approval had finally been granted for the proposed restaurant. 

The outlet would be situated in the town's Railway Street.

"McDonald's finally heading to Strabane! After negotiating a few changes to accommodate the concerns of neighbours, we've approved a planning application for a new McDonald's on the Pat Kirk site on Railway Street in the town," councillor for Sperrin Dan Kelly wrote on his Facebook page.

Up to sixty jobs are to expected to be created with the arrival of a the new restaurant.

Daniel McCrossan MLA was delighted by the news. The SDLP representative says many people in the local area will be "excited" at the prospect of the food chain pitching up in the town.

"People will be very excited by this project, and I would hope this is the start of a lot more businesses coming into the area - particularly like McDonald's," he said.

"We have to remain and be as competitive and as open as possible for business - it will create up to sixty jobs, which is of fantastic benefit to the local area - and I welcome all jobs, job creation, I'd love to see even more well-paid jobs in Strabane but I welcome any form of investment at this stage," he added.

That's despite criticism from some quarters over health concerns and worries surrounding obesity. Another concern is the build-up of traffic caused by the new development of a fuel station nearby.

But the West Tyrone assemblyman was quick to allay such fears.

Mentioning the change in the local area, "for the better" as he sees it, the young SDLP politician was bullish about what the development means for the town.

"That end of Strabane near the Railway road is hugely changed and for the better becoming a hive of economic activity - that's what we should welcome here. I understand there's some concerns over traffic down there, but people are excited about these changes. And I think it should be welcomed," he concluded.