A CONTROVERSIAL drive-through restaurant has opened in Redcar but the battle continues for nearby residents.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council reluctantly granted planning permission in November to McDonald's to build a drive-through restaurant on the former gas works site in Thrush Road.

Residents in Hanson Street, opposite the site, objected fearing noise, litter, pollution, smells, extra traffic and for their children's safety.

The original plans indicated the restaurant would be built on the opposite side of the site away from Hanson Street. But the plans were changed and angry councillors claimed they were forced to accept the proposals because their officers had not informed them of the changes and McDonald's would have won an appeal.

McDonald's met residents to discuss compensation and promised to return with a series of proposals.

Instead, residents received a letter saying there would be no financial compensation but a fence would be built on top of the old gas station wall to block noise and give residents increased privacy.

In a further twist, those plans have been put on hold because of an objection by a resident. The matter will now go before Redcar and Cleveland Council's planning committee on January 11.

Resident Martine Stonehouse said: "It is too close - when we are wandering around our bedroom, it is like being in a goldfish bowl - you can even see what people are having for their dinners."

McDonald's says the 85-seater restaurant represents an investment of more than £1m and will create about 50 full-time and part-time jobs. The company also confirmed it is appealing to the council for an extension of opening hours until 11pm - something that has further angered residents.

A McDonald's spokesman said: "We are happy to talk to residents about the way in which our business works and we are still quite happy to do the extra bit of fencing."