McDonald's takes derelict hotel conversion plan off the menu

Burger giant McDonald's has dropped proposals to turn a derelict hotel near the ferry ports in Cairnryan into a drive-through restaurant - despite winning a battle to secure planning permission.

The project at the old Lochryan Hotel was initially recommended for refusal by Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC).

A revised application - promising 120 full and part-time jobs - was then approved in the summer.

But Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson has been told by McDonald's that, after a review of development plans, it has decided not to proceed.

Carson said it was a "significant setback" in terms of jobs and also a missed opportunity to strengthen services at a gateway to Scotland.

The scheme would have seen the old hotel brought back into use.

Planning officers had raised concerns that the drive-thru would be "heavily reliant" on private transport and not in line with efforts to cut gas emissions.

McDonald's argued that it would reduce travel times for people in the area who wanted to use its restaurants.

It said the proposals balanced climate considerations with "jobs, investment, and new amenities, bringing clear benefits to Cairnryan and the wider area".

The council approved the scheme earlier this year but now the firm has decided against the move.

In a letter to the local MSP McDonald's said it had made the "difficult decision" not to take the plans forward.

The company stressed said that it was not a reflection of the support it had received locally.

McDonald's added it remained committed to exploring future opportunities across the region and looked forward to working with the council should "suitable opportunities arise in the future".

Carson said he was "deeply disappointed" by the news.

He said: "For years, communities in the west of the region have argued that investment too often goes elsewhere.

"This project had secured planning consent and enjoyed strong local support, making today's announcement all the more frustrating.

"While I appreciate that commercial decisions must ultimately be taken by the company, this outcome will be a huge disappointment to many local residents and businesses who saw real potential in the development."

The Scottish Conservative MSP said he would be seeking further clarification on the reasons behind the decision and whether the lengthy planning process had played any part.

The news comes just a couple of weeks after it emerged more than 100 jobs were at risk at a factory in nearby Stranraer which manufactures safety equipment for the military.

Gentex announced proposals to close its plant in the town, where 111 people are employed.