PLANS to build a 24-hour McDonald’s in Rawtenstall, creating 65 jobs, are set to be given the green light.

The drive-through fast-food outlet will be built on the former site of Accrington & Rossendale College at the bottom of Haslingden Road, if approved by Rossendale Borough Council.

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The plans have been recommended for approval and are set to go before the planning committee on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the American company, in a statement to the council, said: “This development comprises a modern, freestanding McDonald’s restaurant with internal and external customer seating.

“Provision is made for takeaway customers, both from the counter and from the drive-through lane.

The proposed McDonald’s restaurant is expected to employ over 65 full and part-time staff. Almost all of these will be recruited from the local community. Any jobs and investment locally would make a positive contribution to the social and economic value of the area.

“The materials are a combination of local stone and timber-effect panels, dark grey aluminium and glazing. The design embraces the setting of the area.”

No objections were received from statutory consultees, including Environmental Health, Lancashire County Council Highways and United Utilities. However, Rossendale Civic Trust said it believed the plans would benefit from a more imaginative design.

More than 30 letters of objection were received by the council, highlighting issues such as extra litter, additional traffic and a lack of need for 24-hour opening.

The plans have had to go through a number of changes over the past year but Cllr Annie McMahon, representative for Longholme ward, said she was now much more satisfied with the application.

She said: “I have concerns about the advertising which I hope will be minimal but I am quite happy with this application now.

“It is going to create jobs for the area, which is always positive. Even though litter is a slight concern, what I do know about McDonald’s is they do tend to have a pretty good record with clearing stuff up.

“It is using a plot of land that has been vacant for some years now. It will be popular in the area and I hope it will bring more people into Rawtenstall.”