Government officials have been drawn into an ongoing row over plans for a new McDonald’s to be built in the city.

The scheme would see a new restaurant and drive-through built on the site of Richard Nash cars in Mousehold Lane, next to the M&S petrol station.

It has split local opinion with some in the area supporting the project – 44 out of 84 public comments on the original application backed it.

But local campaign group – Sprowston's Not Lovin' It – opposes the plans and its petition to block the new restaurant collected almost 250 signatures.  

Norwich Evening News: An artist\'s impression of what the new McDonald\'s drive-thru and restaurant would look like in Sprowston

Last year, members of City Hall’s planning committee voted against the scheme by the narrowest of margins - six votes to five.

Now the decision has been taken out of their hands after McDonald's lodged an appeal against the refusal.

It means that the fate of the proposals will now rest with the Planning Inspectorate – a government department that oversees planning decisions in England.

Campaigners against the scheme have raised fears over the impact the branch would have on traffic safety and said they are "disappointed" to learn of the appeal and urged neighbours to make representations against it.

Supporters, however, highlight the jobs it will create, with Paula Reed-Smith a surveyor for McDonald’s saying it will make a significant contribution to the local economy.

In a submission sent with the appeal, she wrote: "We are keen to invest in Norwich. The proposed store will make a significant contribution to the local economy, with at least 120 new jobs created bringing real benefits for local people."

Norwich Evening News: Labour councillor Natasha Harpley

Sprowston councillor Natasha Harpley, who opposed the scheme, said: "I was pleased the committee voted against the application and my position has not changed.

"McDonald's is, of course, entitled to appeal but there is a lot of opposition to the site and I stand with my community on this matter."

Should the appeal be granted it would be the 11th McDonald’s branch in or around the city and the fourth drive-through off the outer ring road - with sites already at Boundary Lane, Drayton Road Asda and Hall Road in Tuckswood.