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WEDNESDAY MAY 24.

HE controversial construction of a McDonald's restaurant in Palmers Green is continuing to fuel anger among locals.

Since the Independent learnt of the scheme two weeks ago, residents and politicians have hit out at the development at the corner of Lodge Drive and Green Lanes.

Now local traders have added their concerns at yet another fast-food outlet in the area.

Costas Georgiou, chairman of the Green Lanes Business Association, criticised the apparent lack of consultation with businesses and residents in the area prior to work on the site.

He said: 'McDonald's has found a back door to come into Palmers Green.

'When a big name comes up, they should notify business and residents within a fair distance.'

But Enfield Council could still put an end to the development, at a price.

A council spokesman confirmed that officers had the power to revoke the change of use planning permission, which was granted to a firm named Careline Properties last June.

He said: 'We could revoke it on payment of compensation to McDonald's because there are no legal grounds on which to do so.'

Enfield Southgate MP Stephen Twigg backed the idea of withdrawing planning permission.

He said: 'The council should consider revoking it. I went to look again at the site and it really is not appropriate because it is in a residential street.'

Mr Twigg said he would like to see a change in the process by which McDonald's was allowed to buy the property with relevant planning permission already in place.

'It massively undermines local confidence in planning,' he said.

'If there is that power to revoke I would like to see the council revoke it.

'It is essentially a residential road and there is already a substantial amount of takeaways.'

However, in a letter to Mr Twigg, McDonald's said it intended to operate as 'a responsible business'.

Council planners have given the green light for McDonald's to put up its famous golden arches logo and other illuminated signage under their delegated powers.Fast-food fast-track fuels further furoreo

WEDNESDAY MAY 24.

HE controversial construction of a McDonald's restaurant in Palmers Green is continuing to fuel anger among locals.

Since the Independent learnt of the scheme two weeks ago, residents and politicians have hit out at the development at the corner of Lodge Drive and Green Lanes.

Now local traders have added their concerns at yet another fast-food outlet in the area.

Costas Georgiou, chairman of the Green Lanes Business Association, criticised the apparent lack of consultation with businesses and residents in the area prior to work on the site.

He said: 'McDonald's has found a back door to come into Palmers Green.

'When a big name comes up, they should notify business and residents within a fair distance.'

But Enfield Council could still put an end to the development, at a price.

A council spokesman confirmed that officers had the power to revoke the change of use planning permission, which was granted to a firm named Careline Properties last June.

He said: 'We could revoke it on payment of compensation to McDonald's because there are no legal grounds on which to do so.'

Enfield Southgate MP Stephen Twigg backed the idea of withdrawing planning permission.

He said: 'The council should consider revoking it. I went to look again at the site and it really is not appropriate because it is in a residential street.'

Mr Twigg said he would like to see a change in the process by which McDonald's was allowed to buy the property with relevant planning permission already in place.

'It massively undermines local confidence in planning,' he said.

'If there is that power to revoke I would like to see the council revoke it.

'It is essentially a residential road and there is already a substantial amount of takeaways.'

However, in a letter to Mr Twigg, McDonald's said it intended to operate as 'a responsible business'.

Council planners have given the green light for McDonald's to put up its famous golden arches logo and other illuminated signage under their delegated powers.