Controversial plans to build a new McDonald’s in the Swansea Valley have been approved.

The go-ahead will mean the creation of a drive-thru McDonald’s restaurant in the village of Alltwen near Pontardawe, along with enhanced landscaping, 31 car parking spaces and a children’s play frame.

The plans were brought before the Neath Port Talbot Council’s planning committee by councillors after what was said to be a high number of representations, including those from both Pontardawe and Cilybebyll councils who felt they were not suitable for the area.

The decision was initially deferred by council members at a meeting in July  2024, in order for them to take part in a site visit to the proposed area set on part of the car park at the Tesco Pontardawe store.

Following this visit, a report given was given to councillors which described the plans as well as how they had drawn a mixed response from residents, with roughly half of the 149 representations said to be for the application which had been recommended by officers, with half against them.

The plans read: “The proposed development comprises of a modern free-standing single storey McDonald’s restaurant with drive-thru, car parking, landscaping and associated works, including customer order displays and a play frame.

“Provision is made for takeaway customers, both from the counter and from the drive-thru lane. The restaurant has a gross internal area of 350sqm of which 78sqm is for indoor dining. An external play area is located on the external patio area, with facilities for younger customers to climb and explore.”

Objections focused on issues such as a potential increase in the amount of traffic the restaurant could cause with fears of it leading to congestion, as well as the possibility of driving footfall out of the town centre of Pontardawe.

Other concerns involved the potential impacts of increased litter, as well as impacts on child obesity with the site located close to Cwmtawe Community School and Godre’rgraig Primary’s temporary location.

However, those in favour of the plans felt the site would be beneficial for the town in creating around 120 jobs, as well as attracting visitors to the upper Swansea Valley who could in turn visit the town.

The plans were later approved after lengthy discussions with a vote of five members to four – though conditions were added  to alter the opening times of the site to between 7am and 11pm.