Carlisle is getting a third McDonald’s restaurant after the fast food giant won planning permission for a new drive-thru - but it won’t be open for 24 hours a day as originally hoped.

The chain, which already has outlets in Scotch Street and Kingstown, will soon be serving Big Macs from a new base in London Road.

Carlisle City Council yesterday gave the green light for McDonald’s to build the new eatery at the former J & W Watt goods yard next to the railway line.

The equivalent of 45 full time jobs will created at the restaurant and it will be able to accommodate 160 customers.

Originally McDonald’s wanted to open the restaurant 24 hours a day but after complaints from locals the council ruled it will only be allowed to open between 6am and 11pm.

In a report prepared by planning officer Jeff Tweddle for the council’s development control committee, he stated: “Residents from London Road, Tramside Way, Farneside Close and Lindisfarne Street all express legitimate concerns that the proposed 24 hour operation of the business would cause noise, disruption and disturbance that would harm their residential amenity.”

The news was welcomed by councillor Anne Glendinning.

“I’m glad the timing has been changed from 24 hours, I know that would’ve led to concerns from residents,” she said.

Cumbria Police also feared the proposal would lead to a rise in crime and, in particular, boy racers. Further conditions were therefore added onto the development which will ban access to the car park outside of trading hours.

Currently on the brownfield site is a dilapidated grade II-listed building, previously used as part of the goods yard. Concerns were raised by councillors and planning officers about the impact the new fast food outlet would have on it.

However, as part of the development being allowed to go ahead McDonald’s will have to do works to the building to make it secure.

Fellow committee member Ann Warwick said: “I’m really pleased the building is going to be restored.

“I’m also quite happy with the style of the McDonald’s building they have planned to put there.

“I think the site will be greatly improved. It might lead to the other buildings being given the same treatment.”

A spokesman for McDonald’s said: “We are delighted that planning permission has been granted for a new restaurant in Carlisle which will create at least 65 new full and part-time jobs.

“We look forward to working with the council on our plans with a view to starting on site and opening the new restaurant as soon as possible.”