The majority of residents in Wanaka are ‘not loving’ McDonald’s plans to open a restaurant here, mostly due to the potential impact it will have on the local landscape and environment.

The fast-food restaurant chain recently applied for the opening of a location on Wanaka -Luggate Highway, which spans 455sqm and has a 24-hour drive-thru.

About 366 submissions have been made regarding the plans, of which 339 opposed, 21 supported and six wanted changes, RNZ reported. About 106 people also agreed to speak at a council meeting later this month.

In its submission, the Wao Aotearoa Charitable Trust said the development will have an adverse impact on the visual and aesthetic values of the town. The trust also had concerns about the restaurant’s waste management.

Wastebusters and Plastic Free Wanaka shared a similar opinion in their joint submission. “Thirty per cent of the community (5565 people) have already signed a petition to stop a McDonald’s from opening in Wanaka, with waste and the environmental impact being commonly cited concerns,” they said.

Among those in support, a local resident said the restaurant would be “a positive addition to take away food outlets in the town” and that “it is appropriate for people to have food choices”.

Another resident believed McDonald’s would need to make a few changes to the plans, including restricting opening hours to reduce excessive traffic movements and unsafe driving at night.