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www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk
t: 01454 300 400
April 2019
News
McDonald’s and Starbucks drive-through plans
P
roposals for two new 24-hour drive-through food units and new retail space at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook Centre have been refused permission by councillors for a second time. South Glos Council’s (SGC’s) Spatial Planning Committee, meeting at Brook Way Activity Centre on 19th March, had been tasked with “re-evaluating” the application after councillors on a lower-level committee had ignored the case officer’s recommendation and refused permission by five votes to two. The proposals have proved controversial because of the proximity of the drive-through units to residential properties in Wheatfield Drive, with the single-storey Starbucks being just 22m away from the nearest dwelling. The adjacent two-storey McDonald’s building would be 50m distant.
Further concerns had been expressed over the plans to realign the main access road into the Willow Brook Centre, which would bring it much closer to the rear of residential properties in Dewfalls Drive. In a re-run of the previous meeting, a packed hall first heard from the applicant’s agent who said the proposals represented a “significant investment” that would “enhance the vitality and viability of the centre” and create 85 full- and part-time jobs. Although an earlier ‘acoustic report’ submitted by the applicant indicated that there would be no significant increase in nighttime noise associated with the food units, the agent indicated that they would be prepared to accept a condition restricting the opening hours of the food units to 6am-11pm for Starbucks and 6am-midnight (Sun-Thu) / 6am1am (Fri & Sat) for McDonald’s.
Members of the public hold up enlarged visualisations of the proposed McDonald’s and Starbuck’s units as councillors consider the application
Opponents of the scheme were then given a chance to speak, including Steve Moir (headteacher at Bradley Stoke Community School) who said the proximity of the fast food units would add to the “challenges and temptations” faced by students and undermine teaching on healthy lifestyles.
Also speaking against were John Rendell (deputy town clerk), Karen Pullen (Dewfalls and Wheatfield Drive Residents’ Association) and local ward councillors Sarah Pomfret, Brian Hopkinson, Roger Avenin, Keith Cranney and John Ashe. Amongst the points raised were concerns over increased
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