Managers from burger chain McDonald's are to meet families protesting about its plans to create a 'drive-thru' restaurant at Botley, Oxford.

They have said they are keen to build a positive relationship with the local community and have agreed to attend an 'open house' session at the West Oxford Community Centre.

Tomorrow's meeting has been organised by the No Spin local pressure group which has led a highly vocal 'McNo!' campaign over the past two months against the company's proposed conversion of the former Carpenters Arms pub into one of its fast food outlets.

Flashback: Protesters outside the pub earlier this year

McDonald's does not need planning permission to convert the pub, but it requires approval to create a drive- thru.

Local people claim the Botley Road/Seacourt slip road junction is busy enough, without a constant flow of traffic in and out of the site.

The company recently made formal applications to the Vale of White Horse District Council's planning department and submitted a traffic plan to Oxfordshire County Council.

Its corporate affairs representative, Robert Parker, has agreed to attend the open meeting, saying it will give the local community the chance to meet them and discuss the local plans, as well as air broader concerns relating to McDonald's as a business.

No Spin supporters plan to ask questions on a wide range of issues, including the nutritional value of the food served, local and global environmental impacts, and the company's labour standards, but the group has assured Mr Parker that the meeting will not be confrontational.

Its spokesman, Sigrid Shreeve, said No Spin's immediate response to the Botley Road proposal was that it would lead to a huge increase in traffic.

"We hope the application will be rejected, and that McDonald's does not appeal," she said.

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