McDonald’s Restaurants NZ says it still plans to open a Wānaka restaurant, but it won’t be drawn on where it might be.

A company spokesperson told the Wānaka App this week it hadn’t given up on setting up a Wānaka McDonald’s.

“Our intention remains to work constructively through correct processes to open a restaurant in Wānaka,” the spokesperson said.

McDonald’s Restaurants NZ was dealt a blow when independent commissioners turned down its proposal for a 447m2 restaurant and drive through at Mt Iron Junction.

The company won’t appeal the recent decision, the spokesperson confirmed this week, as the appeal window drew to a close.

Submitting a new resource consent application for a restaurant within the subdivision looks unlikely.

Mt Iron Junction developer Steve Schikker told the Wānaka App that McDonald’s Restaurants NZ “have not talked to us about other options at Mt Iron."

“I think it’s all yesterday’s news,” he said. 

Many of the people who made submissions on the original proposal for the Mt Iron Junction McDonald’s - which was turned down due to ‘more than minor’ adverse effects on the environment - suggested a McDonald’s would be better located in Three Parks, however the fast food giant said it deemed that area “the backblocks”.

PHOTO: Supplied