An appeal has been submitted for a proposed Costa drive-thru in Coulby Newham.
Middlesbrough Council planning officers refused plans in late July that would have seen the coffee chain open a new store in car park two at the Parkway Centre.
The council’s planning portal sets out that on Saturday, October 17, a “written evidence” appeal was lodged.
The refusal decision notice from the council said that the applicant was entitled to appeal against its decision to the Secretary of State – Angela Rayner.
The Planning Inspectorate will now weigh up the merits of the appeal and issue a ruling on whether the council’s decision will stand, or if the plans, originally submitted in October last year, will be given the green light.
The planning authority refused the plans due to a “poor design and layout” which would result in a “significant adverse impact” in terms of parking and servicing arrangements for the proposed development, as well as having a negative impact on the parking arrangements for the wider Parkway Centre.
Additionally, plans were deemed to not adequately “prevent conflict between pedestrian and vehicle movements”.
When plans were first submitted, it was reported that if green-lit, proposals would result in the loss of 33 parking spaces. It was argued that the 167 square metre building would “complement” the existing retail offer at the Parkway Centre, according to planning documents.
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The proposed single storey building would have incorporated a drive-thru as well as associated car parking, landscaping, and an outdoor seating area.
The council’s report – which rejected the proposals – said that a net 49 parking spaces would have been lost had plans gone ahead.
A number of objections were received during the consultation process, including from Labour ward Councillor David Branson, who said the project would be a “traffic hazard”. Another objector had commented that Costa should be made to use one of the already empty buildings in the area and pointed out that Costa already has a coffee shop in Tesco.