McDonald’s has turned its attention to Ystrad Mynach, lodging a planning application for a new restaurant and drive-thru that its agents say could bring up to 135 jobs to the town.
The move comes after the fast food chain abandoned an earlier proposal for a branch in neighbouring Maesycwmmer, in Caerphilly borough.
The proposed site
The restaurant would be built on land off Twyn Road, to the south of the Valley Greyhound stadium.
According to planning agents Lichfields, the scheme includes:
- Up to 135 jobs if approved
- 44 car parking spaces
- Electric vehicle charging bays
- Bike storage
- A children’s play space
In a design statement, Lichfields said the site “benefits from a good level of walking, cycling and public transport accessibility”.
Why Maesycwmmer was dropped
The original Maesycwmmer plans drew a large number of objections. Residents and local politicians raised worries over access and road safety, and McDonald’s later moved on to the Ystrad Mynach site a short distance away.
A divided response
The new proposal has not won universal support either. A pre-planning consultation run by McDonald’s between Tuesday 1 September and midnight on Tuesday 15 September 2026 drew more than 500 responses. Of these, 59% backed a new restaurant and the rest were against it.
Those opposed pointed to:
- Litter management
- The impact on the road network
- Flood risk
- The loss of green space
Supporters felt the restaurant would widen choice in the area and welcomed the children’s play space. Jobs and wider economic benefits were also highlighted, according to a report by Lichfields.
The developer’s response
Lichfields has sought to address each of the main concerns:
- Litter – it said “suitable” bins would be provided and emptied regularly every day
- Traffic – its assessment found the local road network “would continue to operate efficiently” if the restaurant opens
- Flooding – the development was not found to increase local flood risk
- Green space – the plans include “appropriate planting” to offset what would be lost
What happens next
McDonald’s had said it would review all feedback from its own consultation before finalising its application to Caerphilly County Borough Council. At the time of reporting, the application itself was out for consultation, giving the public a further chance to comment before a decision is made.
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