A FAST food giant has launched an appeal after civic chiefs rejected its plans for a sixth restaurant in Southampton.

McDonald's want government planning bosses to grant permission for a new drive-through outlet in Woolston.

It comes after city planning chiefs threw out the burger chain's proposals to build on the council's former housing office, on Portsmouth road.

Councillors went against officer recommendations to reject the proposals, over fears the fast-food restaurant would increase anti-social behaviour in the area.

They also raised concerns that the planned three-storey restaurant would be an "overdevelopment" of the site, which currently houses a single-storey building.

McDonald's bosses have now taken the decision to appeal to the national Planning Inspectorate, in the hope of getting the decision overturned.

A spokesperson for the fast food giant, said: "We can confirm that we have lodged an appeal against the decision made by Southampton City Council, the appeal is set for the end of the year.

"If approved, the new restaurant will create at least 65 full and part-time jobs and we look forward to working with the local community on our plans."

The original plans, lodged last year, received a wave of opposition from neighbouring residents.

In total, 60 objections were lodged by Woolston residents, who warned of potential traffic chaos and an over-saturation of food establishments in the area.

Objectors also turned out in their numbers to watch as the plans were unexpectedly thrown by councillors.

Alex Houghton, a councillor for Peartree, the ward in which the application lies in, also raised concerns ahead of the meeting.

The Conservative member said he was "not surprised" to see McDonald's lodge an appeal.

Councillor Houghton said: "They are looking to build a restaurant in the east of the city and so after they lost out on Townhill Park Road they bought that site of the council.

"They are obviously very keen to move there, it's a very prominent location."

Councillor Houghton said he was not sure which side the Planning Inspectorate would fall on.

However, he described Hampshire Police's report, which played a key role in the planning committee's decision to throw out the plans, as a "strong reason" for rejection.

The report highlighted more than 250 incidents at or close to a McDonald’s premises in the last two years in Millbrook, Hedge End, Shirley, Harbour Parade and Totton.

Councillor Houghton said it was important that residents in the area make their opinions known.

Residents in the area are able to submit their thoughts to the Planning Inspectorate by June 1.