THE McDonald's fast-food chain wants to build a drive-through restaurant on a former landfill site.

The company has submitted a planning application to create an 85-seat restaurant on the West Auckland bypass, near Bishop Auckland.

The site has already been scheduled for developments, including a hotel, shop and petrol station.

McDonald's will need to submit proposals detailing how the site will be decontaminated. The Environment Agency has also recommended a study to check for any soil and groundwater contamination.

The bid will be discussed at Wear Valley District Council's planning meeting at Crook Civic Centre on Wednesday