Neighbour erects banner amid row with McDonald's over septic tank

by · Mail Online

A furious neighbour has slammed a McDonald's restaurant built next to her home amid claims a new septic tank caused her fence to 'slip, move and crack'.

The fast food chain recently opened its doors in Counstances Way, Ilkley, on Wednesday however it appears the branch is already embroiled in turmoil.

Rachel Laidler has alleged the installation of the septic tank, which she claims didn't have the correct planning permission, damaged her fence's wall posts. 

She has now taken a swipe at the fast food branch by erecting a banner which read:  'We're not loving it - see the unrepaired damage they left behind their fence'.

She also posted an image of the sign to social media with the caption: 'Please would you [McDonald's] mind mending our fence, instead of covering up with your own?'

An enraged neighbour has hit out a McDonalds store in Ilkley, claiming a septic tank installed by the store has damaged her fence
Rachel Laider (Pictured), claims McDonald's didn't inform of her of the tank's final location, and had no planning permission

McDonald's were granted planning permission to make adjustments to the property as well as the car park and to install of a septic tank, despite 595 objections from locals, the BBC reports. 

Read More

McDonald's worker reveals the special technique staff use to construct your burgers in seconds

However Bradford Council has now decided a retrospective application would need to be filed for the septic tank, as the location was different to the original plans. 

Mrs Laidler claims McDonald's didn't have permission to install the water treatment tank and hadn't informed her about were it would eventually be placed.

She told the BBC: 'The main concern is that they dug very close to our house and the force with which they have been digging has caused the retaining wall posts to slip, move and crack.

'They will now put in for retrospective planning permission, but I don't know why they won't just talk to us about it.' 

Discussing her own experiences, the enraged neighbour claimed she and her husband had to 'jump through hoops' with the local authority to get a water treatment tank approved.  

A McDonald's spokesperson: 'As part of building our new McDonald's Restaurant in Ilkley, we installed a water treatment tank, following a review of the local drainage infrastructure. 

Bradford Council have reportedly decided a retrospective application would need to be filed for the septic tank, as the location was different to the original plans

'Once on site, it became clear that the water treatment tank could not be placed in the exact spot originally planned. 

'However, the main outlet pipe where the treated water leaves the site remains in the same location. 

'Relevant experts have assured us that the relocated tank does not impact neighbours or the surrounding area in any way, and we are working with the planning authority to make sure they are satisfied the correct procedures have been followed, and will follow any further steps they ask us to take. 

'We have made a commitment to repair the damaged fence and this week we contacted the neighbour to discuss next steps.'

MailOnline has approached Bradford Council for comment.