Court overturns McDonald's store approval

Two Adelaide residents have beaten the McDonald's food chain in a legal fight over a proposed new outlet.

They asked the Environment, Resources and Development Court to block a planned 24-hour fast food store for Port Road at Woodville, about 200 metres from the local primary school.

The project was approved last September by Charles Sturt Council for the site in Adelaide's north-western suburbs.

The residents argued any outlet would have insufficient parking and increased noise and cooking odours would affect their quality of life.

They argued children would be tempted to visit the store on their way to or from school.

The court said it had no power to make a ruling based on concern about proximity to a school.

But it ruled an outlet would have significant detrimental effects for local residents and overturned the development approval.

McDonald's expressed its disappointment in a statement.

"We're obviously very disappointed at the decision. We believe our application carefully considered and addressed community concerns around traffic, noise and other amenity issues.

"We think a McDonald's restaurant would be a beneficial addition to the Woodville area and it's a shame for those who are supportive of the application.

"We will be reviewing the judgment internally to decide what our next steps will be."

Source: ABC News, 26 July 2012