THE McDonald’s restaurant in Trafalgar Street, Burnley has applied to open for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The fast-food giant wants the restaurant and drive through to be the second to open all day every day in East Lancashire, after the North Valley Retail Park store in Colne.

But local councillors have expressed concern and opposition to the plans, due to the close proximity of residential properties.

Coun Elizabeth Monk said the restaurant was far too close to homes to open for so long.

“There are a lot of residents living close by,” she said. “There are 24 hour take away's in the town centre but it shouldn’t happen near houses.

“I am very concerned about it, opening 8am to midnight and taking deliveries then is fine, but after that you don’t want the noise of cars or lorries coming and going.

“I don’t see why they don’t open the town centre restaurant for 24 hours, that is where the pubs and clubs are.”

A licensing hearing to decide whether McDonald’s can extend their opening hours will take place at the town hall on Wednesday, but environmental health have already objected to the plans.

Karen Davies, environmental health manager, said they were concerned about vehicle noise, music, voices and horn blowing on the premises.

“There have been complaints within current operating hours,” she said. “The car park and drive through are immediately adjacent to residential premises and it is difficult to suggest steps or conditions which would control this on a 24 hour basis.”

In a statement supporting the application, a spokesman for McDonald’s said: “This restaurant understands that in extending our opening hours we have a duty to the local community and that we continue to protect our staff and customers from danger and harm.

“We believe that the systems we have in place are robust, thorough and will, as far as reasonably practicable, secure the promotion of the four licensing objectives.”

McDonald’s said it was keen to work with the council and police to meet licensing objectives and prevent crime and disorder.