THE fast food giant McDonald’s has said it remains committed to opening two restaurants in Monmouthshire.

McDonald’s said its proposal to open sites in Monmouth and Llanfoist would create 65 jobs for local people in each branch.

Both proposals have been met with mixed reaction, dividing locals and have yet to be considered by Monmouthshire council’s planning committee.

But a spokeswoman for the international chain said they were excited about the prospect of investing in the area.

“We can confirm that plans have been submitted for new restaurants in Llanfoist and Monmouth," she added.

“A new McDonald’s would bring investment to the area and provide at least 65 full and part-time jobs in each community. We will work with the council on our plans.”

When plans for a McDonald’s in Monmouth were lodged earlier this year it divided over 2,000 residents.

Two Facebook groups, for and against, were launched in response to a mixed development made up of a Costa Coffee, McDonald’s, Marston’s public house and bulky good retail unit on land of the Dixton Roundabout.

The ‘Say Yes to a McDonald’s in Monmouth’ page has had 1,262 ‘likes’ to date, whilst the McNo to McDonald’s’ set up by Liam Stubbs has 931 ‘likes’ to date.

The McNo group are concerned it would have a knock-on effect on small cafes serving food and result in job losses in the town centre as well as creating traffic and litter issues. Whilst those in support feel it could bring more business to Monmouth for other shops.

In Llanfoist, over 1,000 people have liked a facebook page opposing a McDonald’s just off the Heads of the Valleys Road, on land known as the Westgate Site, amid concern it will cause an increase in congestion, anti-social behaviour and road safety.

Another concern is that it could stay open for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

More than 1,400 support the bid, saying it’s something that the town needs and would create more jobs. The council has received more than 200 objections but more than 300 in support of it.

In 2001, campaigners signed a petition against plan to build on a site alongside the Heads of the Valleys Road, fearing it would harm the town centre. The proposal was rejected by planners.

A separate application by Whitbread PLC for a 61-bed Premier Inn, Brewer’s Fayre on the same site was granted permission in January, whilst a decision on its bid to open a Costa Coffee within the same application was deferred for the design to be significantly amended.

Both applications have yet to be considered by Monmouthshire council.