Independent shops, affordable housing – or just some green open space. These are all things residents of Bracknell have said they’d like to see on the site of a scrapped McDonald’s drive-thru.

Residents reacted with relief to news that McDonald’s had dropped plans to build a drive-thru near Bracknell town centre.

The fast food giant had applied to Bracknell Forest Council for planning permission for a restaurant at the former site of a Ford showroom on Downshire Way, just outside Bracknell town centre.

But the plans were met with a backlash – with the council’s planning department receiving 66 letters of objection and just three in support.

The council’s public health department also said the plans would “undermine” their efforts to promote healthy living in a deprived area of the town. And Bracknell Town Council warned of traffic and parking chaos on the surrounding roads.

McDonald’s then appeared to drop the plans, with council officers confirming its application had been withdrawn on September 6.

READ MORE: McDonald’s drive thru plans for Bracknell scrapped

Reacting to the news, Bracknell News reader Helen Bowle said: “Thank goodness for that as it will mean a lot less litter around the town. McDonald’s customers and other fast food eaters seem unable to put their rubbish in the bin. They just chuck it out the car window.”

Roseanne Pope said she’d prefer to see some independent shops or restaurants, rather than a fast food takeaway at the site.

She said: “Shame they can't put in some decent Independent shops, restaurants and takeaways instead of processed, unhealthy, limited rubbish that people really do not need!! All that money on Bracknell and nice still drive to Reading or elsewhere.”

And Vivienne Ballico hoped for some green space among the “concrete jungle.” She said: “Here's an idea. Knockdown was never there and built nothing!

“We don't need fast food, fast coffee or fast anything. Plant a tree, so it can absorb some of the cr*p air around the area and allow grass to grow around it. At last, we'll have a bit of colour amongst the industrial concreted jungle, that Bracknell is sadly turning into!!”

Not everyone was pleased to see that the plans had been dropped. Jonathan Rix said the news was “a bit of a bummer.”

He said: “So I've got to go all the way over to Easthampstead for a McDonald’s. Didn't realise the Warfield side of Bracknell was deprived and if we had a drive through we would all get fat.

“How many takeaway/restaurants/fast food outlets are there in the bl**** Lexicon. Hurry up Wimpey and open soon.”

McDonald’s has not responded to requests for comment.