McDonald’s has announced its plans to return to its former Brentwood site – eight years after leaving the high street.

The plot has remained vacant since McDonald’s closed its restaurant there in April 2016 after first opening in the town in 1991.

The fast food chain’s plan comes a year after proposals for an Irish bar to open until 2am were passed by Brentwood Borough Council.

London City Pub Group Ltd, trading as McCafferty’s, have been given permission to change the use of the property to a public house and a rear building at first-floor and second-floor levels to form residential accommodation.

The main bar area had been planned to be configured at ground floor level, with a roof terrace on the first floor, part-enclosed with a fixed roof.

Despite being given permission for the change of use, the company has not made the decision to invest in a new pub.

Brentwood Borough Council says no additional planning requirement is required by McDonald’s to reopen.

The plans also include changes to the rear for staff and delivery drivers to pick up orders without having to go through the main entrance.

A statement as part of a planning application said: “The High Street is of a mixed character with buildings of varied ages.

“The site has been vacant and boarded up since 2016 and detracts from the character and appearance of the conservation area.

“The proposed development would be a positive change to the street scene in comparison to the existing situation, enacting the established use.”