After years of uncertainty permission HAS been granted for Norwich to get a 10th McDonald's despite worries about its proximity to Mousehold Heath and two high schools.
However, the fast food giant has vowed to protect the city's beloved woodland.
The plans to replace Sprowston company Richard Nash Cars, next to the M&S petrol station in Mousehold Lane, were submitted in January 2022.
Norwich City Council's planning committee dismissed plans for the drive-through restaurant by the slimmest of margins - by a vote of six to five - at the end of 2022.
However, McDonald's appealed the decision in September last year and took the refusal to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which began its assessment in January.
That has seen the city council's decision overturned and paves the way for the restaurant - which attracted some strong opposition - to be built.
The judgement states: "The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted."
One of the main issues behind the initial refusal was whether the site was appropriate for the development - based on its reliance on private car use - but the Planning Inspectorate dismissed these concerns.
With the site being on the city's outer ring road, the inspector making the judgement, Conor Rafferty, pointed to it already being a well-used road and said: "Many future customers that would be visiting the proposal would already be on the road, rather than solely travelling to the site."
He also added the proposal would "deliver 10 cycle parking spaces and two cycle lockers for staff to encourage access by bicycle".
Another issue raised by the city council was that the development would "support unhealthy food choices", with Sprowston High School and Open Academy both nearby.
However, Mr Rafferty stated there was nothing in planning policy relating to "the appropriate location of restaurants in the area on the basis of promoting healthy choices".
The main campaign opposing the plan, named Sprowston's Not Lovin' It, saw a petition opposing the restaurant collect almost 250 signatures.
People living on the doorstep of the proposed site were also worried about the littering and pollution it could cause.
This also made up part of the council's refusal alleging "the position of the children's playframe relative to the drive-through lane would create noise and distraction and have potential safety implications".
However, this was quashed by Mr Rafferty, who said the "area is shown to be enclosed by pedestrian guard rails and secure fencing".
Overturning the city council's decision, he added: "For the reasons given, the proposal would accord with the development plan, when taken as a whole.
"There are no material considerations that indicate the appeal should be determined other than in accordance with the development plan.
"I therefore conclude that the appeal should be allowed, subject to the relevant conditions."
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McDonald's already occupies nine sites in Norwich, including two in Boundary Road and two in the city centre, with two more nearby in Wroxham and Blofield.
Upon hearing the news, a McDonald's spokeswoman said: "We're pleased with the outcome of the planning appeal and the inspector’s decision.
"At McDonald's we strive to be a good neighbour in the communities in which we operate and take our responsibility around litter very seriously, which is why our restaurant teams carry out daily litter patrols to ensure all litter, not just McDonald's branded packaging is collected.
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"We look forward to working together with the local community in Mousehold Heath, once the restaurant is in operation, to identify any litter hot spots surrounding the restaurant which we will look to include in our litter patrols wherever possible."
McDonald's has been told the permission will last three years from the Planning Inspectorate's decision, which was made on Monday.
Previously, a McDonald's spokesman said "at least 120 new full and part-time jobs" would be created if permission was granted.
Norwich City Council was contacted for comment following publication of the judgement.
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