PLANS to open a McDonald's in Hexham have been approved.

Members of the Tynedale Local Area Council voted this afternoon to approve plans to create the restaurant and drive-thru at the former bunker site, at Alemouth Road.

It will have enough space for around 110 customers, including an outdoor ‘patio’ area.

Brains behind the scheme have also agreed to ensure designs ‘better respond to the heritage context of the development’, with timber cladding replacing the ‘relatively standard’ designs usually seen at McDonald’s branches.

It is expected to create up to 35 full time roles, as well as a further 30 part-time positions.

Work is underway at the bunker site, at Alemouth Road, to create 250 car parking spaces, which will stand alongside a 69-bedroom Travelodge hotel and Lidl store.

11 councillors voted to approve the plans, with one abstention from Coun. Nick Morphet.