Opposition towards a proposed drive-thru McDonald’s in North Acton is mounting as the planning application went to inquiry at Ealing Town Hall.

Under the proposals put forward by the fast-food chain at the inquiry, the restaurant would be built on the A40 by Gypsy Corner with direct access from the main road.

The application was initially accepted in February but was then rejected a month later after the Mayor of London announced the Cycle Superhighway, connecting Barking and Acton and along the A40.

Cyclists and residents are concerned that the drive-thru will pose a serious danger to cyclists, and that noise and air pollution would increase in an area already greatly affected by poor air quality.

West Acton Residents' Association chairman, Sheela Selvajothy, said: “McDonalds, in their greed, only care about getting as many customers as possible to visit their site. They don’t care about the cyclists who could be injured or die as cars cut across the new Cycle Superhighway.”

Following the rejection of the planning application, McDonald’s sent a subsequent application for a restaurant with access from Leamington Park, which does not cut across the cycle highway.

This was accepted on August 5 but does little to reassure North Acton resident Jonathan Notley that the restaurant will take noise and air pollution into account.

He criticised the company's disregard for the green corridor – an Ealing Council policy meant to mitigate the effects of air pollution.

As part of the requirements for the A40 Green Corridor policy, trees and bushes along the A40 act as an anti-pollution buffer but McDonald’s plans could see them replaced with some low-level shrubs.

Mr Notley said: “The site is next to Horn Lane, a notorious air pollution blackspot, and thousands of cars a day pour along the A40. Up to 2,000 cars a day will be idling their engines next to residential gardens, while waiting for their Big Macs.”

While McDonald’s is clear to build a takeaway with an entrance from Leamington Park, the franchise still hopes to secure an entrance from the A40 directly.

A McDonald’s spokesman said: “We are excited about our plans to invest and create jobs in North Acton. Over the last year we have worked alongside all of the parties involved to ensure that a new restaurant supports the plans for a new Cycle Superhighway.

“The plans submitted on September 16 received no objections from Ealing Council or TfL. The potential issues of noise and pollution were considered throughout the planning stages by Ealing Council’s planning officers and were found to be acceptable. We look forward to the inquiry’s decision.”

The decision now rests with the Planning Inspector.

An Ealing Council spokeswoman said: “The Planning Inspector is expected to make a decision within four to six weeks on McDonald’s application to access its restaurant from the A40.

“We are hopeful that the inspector will take into account the safety measures recommended by the council and TfL following negotiations with McDonald’s.”