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www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk
t: 01454 300 400
March 2019
News
SGC committee refuses permission for McDonald’s & But it’s not the end of the story as the application is now automatically referred to a parent committee which could overturn the decision
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Members of the DM Committee on a site inspection visit in atrocious weather conditions at the Willow Brook Centre on 8th February. Part of the outline of the proposed McDonald’s food unit can be seen marked with yellow paint on the surface of the car park.
controversial planning application for new developments at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook shopping centre that would include two new drive-through food units anticipated to be occupied by McDonald’s and Starbucks has been refused permission. The proposed scheme, which also includes two new retail units and rearrangement of the car park, had been recommended for approval by a South Gloucestershire Council planning officer, but was ‘called in’ by a number of local ward members for determination by committee. Meeting at the Jubilee Centre in Bradley Stoke on Thursday 21st February, the Development Management (DM) Committee was considering the application for the second time in four weeks after members had deferred a
decision at their January meeting to allow a site inspection visit to take place (see photo). Proceedings at the meeting followed the usual pattern with supporters and objectors being given time to air their views before councillors debated the issues, with guidance from the principal planning officer. However, one noticeable difference this time was that Bradley Stoke councillor Roger Avenin, who, as a committee member, had spoken strongly against the application at the previous meeting, spoke from the public gallery, his place on the committee having been taken by Stoke Gifford councillor Ernie Brown. The Journal understands that Cllr Avenin was advised to step down as it was feared that he may have “fettered his discretion”.
Many of the points raised by the public and local ward councillors centred on the remoteness of the two food units from the main buildings at the centre (they would be positioned either side of the current Waves car wash) and their close proximity to residential properties in Wheatfield drive. Following the site inspection visit, the applicant had submitted sketches showing that the closest property in Wheatfield Drive would be 22m distant from the single-storey Starbucks unit and 50m from the two-storey McDonald’s building. However, it was pointed out by one councillor that vehicles using the drivethrough lanes would pass much closer than this to the property. With five of the eight committee members having raised concerns relating to
Wheatfield Drive Closest residential property
Dewfalls Drive
Bradley Stoke Way
Two additional (non-food) retail units
Planning application reference: PT18/1491/O Orange outline: Phase one
Starbucks Rearranged car park and access road
Willow Brook Centre Development Masterplan
McDonald’s
Willow Brook Centre car park
Poundstretcher
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Blue outline: Phase two This plan shows the proposed layout of the car park and access road at the end of phase 2. For phase 1, the access road will remain as it is at present, except for the first righthand turn being widened to allow easy access for delivery vehicles serving the two new food and drink units.