A FAST food giant has said its new ‘drive-thru’ restaurant will create 65 jobs.

McDonald’s has confirmed it is looking to open a new eatery in Stanley.

The American burger chain has submitted a planning application to Durham County Council to develop part of the town currently undergoing major regeneration.

The plan involves demolition of Townley House, a vacant office building, on Clifford Road, near the A693, and building a new two storey restaurant with the drive-thru facility, car parking and landscaping.

A spokesman for the company said: “We can confirm that we have submitted a planning application for a new drive thru restaurant in Stanley and look forward to working with the council on our plans.

“If approved, we believe the new restaurant would bring investment to the local community as well as creating 65 new full and part-time jobs.

“We will aim to deliver the new restaurant as soon as practicably possible assuming a positive planning determination can be reached.”

The application follows two other multi-million developments in the town centre.

Discount retailer Home Bargains is currently redeveloping the form Kwik Save building on Clifford Road ahead of an opening earmarked for spring.

The site had initially been earmarked for Tesco but the supermarket scrapped its plans for the store in 2015 before selling the land to JT Morris last April.

The old bus station and former Co-op building, which were demolished several years ago, are being cleared for the town’s new Aldi store.

They follow the opening of a new £1.4 million, 23-bed hotel and restaurant in Stanfield House, the former council care home, in December, which created 20 jobs.

Councillor David Marshall, leader of Stanley Town Council, said: “Obviously the town council is delighted that McDonalds has chosen to come to Stanley.

“I believe that this demonstrates the confidence that businesses are gaining in our town, at last we are seeing a willingness to invest and develop Stanley town centre.

“We have already seen Hotel 52 with the fantastic Italian Restaurant and numerous other developments starting to happen including Aldi and Home Bargains, it is a very exciting time for Stanley.

“The jobs and career opportunities that are being created is fantastic for Local People.

“Stanley Town Council are determined to work with Durham County Council to widen the choice of retail brands and encourage household names to Stanley.”