Fast food giant McDonald’s says its priority is to be a “good neighbour” when it opens a new restaurant in Carlisle.

The Big Mac creators last year won planning permission from Carlisle City Council to open a drive-thru site on land off London Road.

The new restaurant will be on the former J & W Watt goods yard next to the railway line and will be the third McDonald’s in the city. The other two are in Scotch Street and Kingstown.

On the former goods yard site there is a Grade II-listed building which must be made secure before any work can start, planning conditions state.

The food company, council and other bodies continue to work on how the dilapidated building can be restored.

In a statement, a McDonald’s spokesman said: “We are continuing to explore the feasibility of a new restaurant off London Road.

“We are aware of the sensitivities around this particular site and want to ensure that the existing Grade II-listed building would not be damaged during construction.”

Earlier this year the company said there was no firm estimate as to when any work would start but they wanted the new restaurant - which will create about 45 full time equivalent jobs - up and running “as soon as possible”.

The company has, however, pledged its priority during construction and beyond will be to be a “good neighbour”.

When the planning application was discussed by councillors, concerns were raised about the new fast food outlet.

The chain had hoped its new restaurant would be the city’s first 24-hour premises but, following objections from the police and local residents, city councillors ruled it should have shorter opening hours.

When it goes ahead the site will be open between 6am and 11pm. Plans indicate it will be able to accommodate 160 customers.

Cumbria Police feared the 24-hour proposal would lead to a rise in crime and, in particular, boy racers. Further conditions were therefore added onto the development by the council which will ban access to the car park outside of trading hours.

The McDonald’s spokesman added: “Our priority is to be a good neighbour and we will continue to work with the local council to ensure all requirements would be met, should we progress.”

Just down the road staff at KFC are ready to open their new drive-thru in the old Harraby Green service station.