Shepton Mallet councillors have backed the jobs and investment a new McDonald's could bring to the town — but said plans for the drive-thru to operate 24 hours a day go too far.

Members of Shepton Mallet Town Council's Town Development and Planning Committee debated the application on Tuesday, 18 August, before agreeing to recommend refusal in its current form because of the proposed all-night opening. The council is a consultee on the application and does not make the final planning decision.

The committee is chaired by Councillor Jane Nicklin, with its current membership also including Councillors Bob Thornton, James Brittain, Matt Harrison, Garfield Kennedy, Aaron Hood and David Swain.

Despite the eventual recommendation, the debate showed considerable support for the principle of bringing McDonald's to Shepton Mallet, with employment opportunities and inward investment repeatedly highlighted as benefits.

Councillor James Brittain summed up some of those positives during the discussion, saying: "Employment great. Inwards investment great. Doing up a brownfield site which needs doing up, great."

But he said those benefits had to be weighed against the implications of a 24-hour operation so close to homes.

Councillor Brittain argued that an all-night restaurant would be unusual in a location surrounded by residential areas, rather than at an out-of-town roadside site.

He said: "The town is not a 24-hour town, and it's not designed to be a 24-hour town. It's just not built for it."

King's Close was repeatedly raised during the discussion because of its proximity to the proposed restaurant, while the committee also considered the effect on other homes nearby.

Noise, lighting and late-night vehicle movements were among the issues considered. The committee discussed sounds including car doors, acceleration and shouting, as well as whether screening around the site would sufficiently protect nearby properties from headlights and other lighting.

Litter was also discussed, including proposals for three litter collections each day. Members considered whether any litter-management commitment should specify its frequency, the area to be covered and who would be responsible for carrying it out.

The committee also considered landscaping and noise mitigation, although the debate eventually narrowed onto the proposed opening hours as the central reason for its formal response.

Councillors compared the plans with the existing pattern of trading in the area, including the garage opposite, which they said closes at 11 pm.

The committee ultimately settled on 7 am to 11 pm as the hours it would prefer to see at the development.

As the discussion moved towards a decision, Councillor Brittain argued that simply supporting the scheme while asking for changes would not send a strong enough message.

He said the council should recommend refusal of the 24-hour proposal while making clear that it welcomed the investment and would be prepared to consider a revised application with more restricted hours.

The proposal was seconded and approved.

• Shepton Mallet Town Council's planning committee can submit observations on applications affecting the town, but Somerset Council remains responsible for determining the application.

More local stories

• What's On: Shepton Mallet rounds off August with outdoor singing, woodland adventures and more
• Shepton Skate Jam returns with lessons, demos and prizes

Subscribe to the free Shepton Mallet Nub News newsletter Get the biggest Shepton Mallet stories straight to your inbox.