A plan to build a McDonald’s on “the world’s coolest street” has been rejected by an inner-north Melbourne council after thousands petitioned against it.

The 6-3 vote at a Darebin council meeting on Monday night knocked back an amended permit application to build the 24/7 restaurant at 323 High Street, Northcote.

This went against advice from council officers, who said McDonald’s had a right to use the commercially zoned site as a restaurant and the permit decision was limited to whether facade changes were appropriate.

Councillor Julie O’Brien, however, moved a motion to refuse the application for a McDonald’s on High Street.

O’Brien acknowledged the McDonald’s proposal may adhere to technical planning rules, but she deemed these too narrow.

She argued the council could still block t

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