Decision on proposed McDonald's in trendy Birmingham area amid 'down with the clown' backlash The Birmingham suburb of Stirchley became engulfed by a row last year over proposals for a new McDonald’s File photo of a McDonald's sign (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire ) McDonald’s has ditched controversial plans for a new restaurant in trendy Stirchley. There was backlash last year when the fast food giant revealed proposals for a new drive-thru and restaurant off Hazelwell Lane. ‌ Amid fears over traffic, litter and Stirchley’s reputation for independent businesses, more than 1,800 people signed an online petition against the scheme. ‌ READ MORE: Major plans for Birmingham’s ‘landmark’ HS2 station take step forward Protesters even gathered in the suburb to wave signs reading ‘I’m hatin’ it’ and ‘down with the clown’ while MP Al Carns spoke out against the proposals. McDonald’s confirmed today, May 1, that it would not be submitting a planning application for the site. Article continues below “We have decided not to move forward with the Stirchley application,” a McDonald’s spokesperson said. “As with any site, there are many factors that mean we might not go ahead and after further operational analysis here, we have taken this decision. “We look forward to exploring other opportunities to bring McDonald’s to the area in the future." A visit to Stirchley last November revealed divisions over whether residents wanted Ronald McDonald as their neighbour. ‌ A general view of Stirchley (Image: Martin O'Callaghan/Birmingham Live ) Resident Nick Harding said at the time he was worried about noise, littering and Stirchley’s reputation as a place for independent businesses. “It doesn’t seem like the right place for it,” he said. “I know it’s brownfield but in my opinion even a coffee shop would be better". ‌ Discussing Stirchley’s character, he continued: “McDonald’s doesn’t really add anything - there are good burger places already here.” Carla Renwick, another local, was more positive about the plans and argued the problem was not the proposed McDonald’s when it came to traffic. “The problem is about the infrastructure, it’s not good,” she said. ‌ READ MORE: Update on Birmingham city centre plans for ‘dynamic' development with multiple towers She continued: “We need more commercial things here. I would prefer something like a Boots or a gym but we know the investment [from McDonald’s] is very high". One mum said the new McDonald’s would be convenient for her children but also expressed concerns over rubbish and traffic. ‌ Many people against the proposals were also troubled by the idea of having the fast food chain in an area known its independent bars, restaurants and cafes. “The impact of this plan is damaging to Stirchley,” one person who signed the online petition wrote. “It is completely unaligned with our community of local and independent businesses.” Cassandra Kirk-Gould, who launched the petition, said Stirchley’s spirit was rooted in small businesses and “not big international chains”. ‌ McDonald's was proposing to build a new restaurant and drive-through on land off Hazelwell Lane, Stirchley (Image: Alexander Brock ) The online consultation page launched last year said the benefits of a local McDonald’s would have included around 100 new jobs; the regeneration of a vacant brownfield site and a multi-million-pound investment into the Stirchley area. It said there would have been a “carefully planned internal queuing system” to regulate traffic as well as recycling and waste facilities to encourage disposal of rubbish and reduce littering. ‌ “The site is currently disused, brownfield land, next to Aldi,” the consultation page read. “The area has been vacant for a number of years. “The area can be subject to misuse, and a recent site visit revealed hazardous debris on the land. “McDonald’s proposals, if approved, would regenerate this derelict site and bring it into restaurant use for the whole community to enjoy. Article continues below “It is well located, just off a main road and close to other restaurants, bars and retail space in the area.”