A retail park in Worle could more than double in size, with up to four new units planned for the site at the same time McDonald’s is proposing its own extension.

The park, in Queensway, currently has a Homebase, Argos and McDonald’s restaurant but the Royal London Mutual Insurance Society, freehold owner of part of the site, has applied for permission to build a new unit there.

Its plans for the building are for it to be split into four sections, although it has not disclosed which retailers could be housed inside.

The planning document says: “The proposal will be constructed as a shell-only building to be fitted out by the various targeted tenants.

“Therefore it is not possible to provide a great level of detail at this stage.”

At the same time, McDonald’s has revealed plans to expand the restaurant there, and franchisee Tim Lamb said the proposed new retail unit would be beneficial for Worle.

He told the Mercury: “It is great for the area if the new unit provides additional facilities for the customers, and it is also good for the businesses.”

Mr Lamb’s plans for his McDonald’s include an extension and a children’s play area.

He said: “It would be a complete refit of the restaurant, from the kitchen area to the customer area.

“The plans are for completely new décor, with the potential for 40-50 additional seats. It will be a major refit with all the digital enhancements.

“The play area would offer not only digital entertainment but also physical play equipment and climbing frames.”

If the project goes ahead, the children’s play area would be the first of its kind in a McDonald’s in Somerset, though Mr Lamb’s ideas are subject to approval from both North Somerset Council and the retail park’s landlord.

Mr Lamb runs three McDonald’s restaurants in Weston, including one in Regent Street, and one in Western Links, and says the latest improvements could complement work already done elsewhere.

He said: “I have left Worle to the last of the three because it will potentially be the biggest project.

“Fingers crossed it will all get approved and we are looking to start on site in the first quarter of next year.”