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First look at planned Shepton Mallet McDonald's

Local News by Laura Linham 25th Sep 2026  
New planning documents give a first look at the branding planned for a proposed McDonald's drive-thru at Haskins Retail Park in Shepton Mallet.
New planning documents give a first look at the branding planned for a proposed McDonald's drive-thru at Haskins Retail Park in Shepton Mallet.

New plans have given a clearer first look at how Shepton Mallet's proposed McDonald's drive-thru could look if the scheme gets the go-ahead.

Three separate advertisement applications have now been submitted for the Haskins Retail Park site at Townsend, adding more detail to the main plans for a freestanding McDonald's restaurant and drive-thru lodged earlier this summer.

The latest documents include proposals for illuminated fascia signs, drive-thru booth lettering, a digital screen and yellow soffit lighting.

Two new totem signs and a wall-mounted Golden Arch are also planned, while the existing Haskins Retail Park sign would be moved and altered to include a McDonald's panel.

Further signage around the site would include freestanding signs, a banner unit and directional signs linked to the restaurant and drive-thru.

The new applications are the latest stage in plans first submitted in July.

McDonald's Restaurants Ltd lodged the main application, reference 2026/1388/FUL, for the Haskins Retail Park site on 22 July.

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It seeks permission for a freestanding restaurant and takeaway with a drive-thru, customer order displays, parking, landscaping and associated works.

The wider scheme would also see the former car showroom at the retail park converted into two separate retail units, with changes made to the surrounding parking areas.

But the plans have already faced opposition from Shepton Mallet Town Council over the proposed opening hours.

Councillors objected to the application as submitted because McDonald's was seeking permission to operate around the clock. The town council said it would be more supportive of a revised scheme with shorter hours, suggesting opening from around 7 am until 11 pm would better reflect the mix of homes and businesses in the surrounding area. (Invalid URL)

The town council is a consultee rather than the planning authority, with the final decision resting with Somerset Council.

The three new advertisement applications were submitted in September and remain under consideration.

One covers the illuminated signs on the proposed restaurant itself, including four fascia signs, drive-thru booth lettering, a digital booth screen and yellow lighting.

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Another covers freestanding and directional signage around the wider site, while the third includes the Golden Arch, new totem signs and changes to the existing Haskins Retail Park entrance sign.

The main application for the restaurant and drive-thru also remains awaiting a decision.

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