Planning officer recommends New Forest District Council approves plan for Costa Coffee drive-through at Totton Retail Park
PLANS for a new drive-through coffee shop at a Totton retail park are set to be approved by New Forest District Council.
London Metric Property applied to convert existing units at Totton Retail Park on Commercial Road to house the takeaway facility, which is believed to be following interest from chain store, Costa Coffee.
Documents submitted to the council, which will discuss the application on Wednesday, outline plans to alter the existing arrangements of two of the units on the site, retailer Argos and pet shop Jollyes.
It seeks to add a drive-though lane within the existing service area to the north of the site and a turning circle for HGVs making deliveries.
The existing car park would become one-way and five car spaces would be lost in order to accommodate a wider pedestrian walkway.
External alterations would include the removal of the curved entrance canopies to the units and installation of new glazing, as well as the creation of a customer collection counter.
The application received 10 letters of objection from residents, who raised concerns over the impact on highway safety, increased congestion, noise disturbance, dust and fumes, loss of trees and fears of antisocial behaviour.
Totton and Eling Town Council also objected to the plans and said that while the creation of additional jobs would be a positive for the town, there was already an established Costa Coffee in “very close proximity”.
It added: “Whilst it is appreciated this is an existing retail park, this isn't an ideal setting for a drive thru.
“This proposed addition would be over-intensification of the site.”
However, a report to the district council’s planning committee has recommended the scheme be given the green light.
It states: “The proposal constitutes an appropriate and sustainable form of development that will preserve an existing town centre shopping use without detriment to the character of the surrounding area or to the amenity of adjoining residents.”
