Staffordshire Moorlands District Council published over 400 letters it has received from residents regarding a planning application to build a McDonald's in Leek.

We reported earlier this month how a full planning application has now been submitted for a McDonald's restaurant and drive-thru in the town.

As part of the planning process a public consultation period was held in which people could write to the council either in support of the application or objecting to it. The consultation began on August 2nd and ended yesterday (August 23rd).

And the residents of Leek certainly made their voices heard during that time, with hundreds of letters both for and against the proposed McDonald's being submitted to the council.

The majority of residents' letters appear to be in support of the application. We opened 25 letters at random, and counted 24 letters in support of the plans, with only one letter in objection.

We reported previously how McDonald's had set up a website asking residents to submit letters of support for the plans, which included a template letter.

Many of the letters appear to be following this template, with dozens writing to the council with the same message.

It says: "I am writing to register my support for the proposed McDonald's Drive-Thru for Leek on land adjacent to Sainsubury's on Churnet Way, Staffordshire Moorlands. A McDonald's store here will provide all important jobs.

"I support this application because the increased investment in the area will enable the council to improve key local services through the business rates generated. I also think that the McDonald's application should be approved because McDonald's is a sustainable developer that is conscious of its impact on the community.

"For example, they do frequent litter picks. I, and many other local people, support this proposal because it will be good for Leek. I hope the council is able to support this application."

However, there were also many letters which did not follow the template. One of these letters said: "It is important for the area that McDonald's is allowed to build in the proposed location.

"It is out of town, it will reduce anti social behaviour possibilities, it opens up more scope to develop the Churnet Works areas for businesses as a whole, and provides a much needed alternative for people to eat at.

"Not to mention, increased employment, business rate income, and changing an unattractive parcel of scrubland into something useful. No negatives whatsoever to this application."

One of the letters submitted in objection to the plans said: "I would like to object to this planning. This would cause traffic problems to an already busy main road, cause unnecessary light and noise pollution not to mention the danger of refuse ending up in the nearby river which will be a danger to wildlife. During this obesity crisis that our town faces the timing of this application is appalling."

There were also many letter submitted that did not include a message, other than the word "support" or "object".

The site of the new McDonald's would be at Churnet Works, Abbey Green Road, which is in the same place as the town's Sainsbury's supermarket. It would include both a drive-thru and a seated restaurant area.