Starbucks withdraws plans for drive-thru at centre

The application said the new Starbucks drive-thru would have created 27 jobs

Plans for a new drive-thru Starbucks coffee shop have been withdrawn amid objections from the local community.

A planning application was submitted for the venue in the car park of the Bretton Centre in Bretton, Peterborough.

According to the planning statement, the building would result in a loss of 40 parking spaces for the centre, which hosts other businesses including a post office and a Sainsbury's supermarket.

The application, submitted in November, prompted several objections, including concerns that a loss of parking spaces could be "detrimental" for the centre and lead to more congestion.

The Bretton Centre includes a mixture of retail and food units

The application was made to Peterborough City Council on behalf of the Balr Group, which said the single-storey premises would create 27 jobs.

Currently, the centre is served by a Greggs, a Domino's, a fish and chip shop, a Subway, a Costa Coffee coffee shop and The Fayre Spot pub.

Earlier this year, a new 80-seater McDonald's restaurant was approved for a vacant unit there.

Bretton residents who objected to the plans said the centre needed "more retail units and shops" instead of food venues.

Scott Warren, Conservative councillor for Bretton, described the centre as "the heart of the community".

He said the proposed drive-thru "threatens to exacerbate existing issues in our community."

"It will lead to loss of parking spaces, which are already scarce, and cause further damage to our local amenities," he said.

Peterborough Civic Society said it was concerned the proposal "would be prejudicial to the viability of the multiple existing drink and food outlets".

It also feared an "increase in congestion and public safety issues".

The council said the application had been formally withdrawn.

Starbucks declined to comment.