When McDonalds closed down in Mitcham two years ago it was said to have left "a gaping hole in the community".

Now, a branch of the fast-food chain could return to the area, after a planning application for a two-storey drive-through restaurant was submitted to Sutton Council.

The restaurant is proposed for Redhouse Road, at the junction with Mitcham Road

Redhouse Road, which runs alongside Mitcham Common, has been earmarked by developers for a 729 sq m restaurant with 34 car parking spaces at the intersection of the Sutton, Croydon and Merton borders.

But Community "hero" Mike Smith, who managed the former Mitcham franchise in Majestic Way for 12 years, said: "In Mitcham, I have always said if you’re going to do a drive-through it would have to be in the town centre.

"Where the Iceland is there used to be a Blockbuster and I thought that was a great site."

The popular manager, who runs 12 McDonalds franchises across London and Surrey, is not involved in discussions for the new site, but said he would still love to bring a new restaurant back to Mitcham.

He said: "I love Mitcham. It was my first store and I have a great admiration for Mitcham. It’s not a Wimbledon, or Croydon, or Colliers Wood - it’s Mitcham. You can walk around the town centre and meet people from all different walks of life and nationalities.

"Probably knowing how much I have impacted peoples’ lives I would do it again. I hope people petition for it and raise awareness for it.

"With Government cuts it’s much more difficult for a town like Mitcham which doesn’t have the extra resources like Wimbledon or Croydon. It needs the entrepreneurial spirit to help it along."

Your Local Guardian:

'I would do it again': former Mitcham McDonalds manager would love to return

While many residents still mourn the loss of the old McDonalds, some have expressed concern at plans for a new 24-hour drive-through.

Matthew Slade, of Rochford Way, said: "I object on the grounds of the hours of operation. Twenty four hour operation 7 days a week is not needed.

"There are three similar restaurants in the surrounding area - Valley Park, Thornton Heath and Waddon. The Valley Park location already stays open until 3am, is located in a business area and has better road user infrastructure.

A spokesman for Friends of Mitcham Common said: "We would ideally like to see other businesses on this site that would be more appropriate for the area. Fast food chains such as McDonalds encourage unhealthy eating and littering.

"These issues aside, the Mitcham Common area around Redhouse Road is awful at the moment and a haven for fly-tipping and other anti-social behaviour. While the introduction of a fast food restaurant will inevitably cause littering, McDonalds do have a reasonable attitude to trying to prevent it. "

Your Local Guardian:

The drive-through McDonalds is proposed for Redhouse Road, at the junction with Mitcham Road

The plans are due to be considered by Sutton Council planning committee on Wednesday, December 3.

What do you think of the plans? Comment below, or email Louisa on louisa.clarence@london.newsquest.co.uk.