Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 2 September 2021
HINCKLEY’S McDonald’s branches could be fitted with two rapid electric vehicle charging points at each site, if proposed planning documents are approved.
Instavolt, an electric vehicle charging point manufacturer, have lodged planning applications to the Borough Council which could see two rapid charging points created at both McDonald’s sites – near Morrisons and the Dodwells Island.
The applications were put forward in late July (23 July), but the documents are still ‘awaiting decision’ by the Borough Council’s planning officers.
At McDonald’s near the Dodwells Island, three car park spaces would be turned into two EV charging bays, along with associated equipment, using 51.70 square metres of the site area.
At the McDonald’s near Morrisons, two car parking spaces would become two EV charging points, using a smaller amount of the site area – 41.10 square metres.
Documents on the planning portal further reveal that if these plans do get the thumbs up to be created, installation would only take a week in total.
The units are safe and secure with 24 hour monitoring and a telephone number for Instavolt’s 24 hour support line would be displayed on the units in case an issue occurs.
But, if an issue did take place then one of their engineers would be dispatched to go and investigate the issue.
Instavolt have stated that they believe the proposed charging points will ‘provide essential infrastructure’ for the area and ‘will utilise the latest DC rapid charging technology which is accessible for EV drivers’.
Their full statement reads: “The two proposed EV charging units at McDonald’s, Wheatfield Way and Dodwells Road will provide essential infrastructure for the area and will utilise the latest DC rapid charging technology which is accessible for all EV drivers to use.
“Countries across the world are making a move away from fossil fuels and towards the electrification of the transport system.
“The UK has binding climate agreements to reduce the levels of CO2 emissions by at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050, of which, the proposed EV chargers will provide crucial infrastructure to enable this transition to a low carbon economy.”
Responding in the form of a consultation notice last month, the Local Highway Authority said that they have ‘no comments to make’ regarding the charging points, as there would appear to be ‘no material impact on the public highway’.
A representative of Leicestershire County Council’s Ecology Unit further added that these proposals are ‘minor’, with a ‘very small footprint’, meaning that no ecological surveys are required and they have no objections to the proposal.