Officers at South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) have recommended approval of a planning application which would pave the way for McDonald’s and Starbucks outlets to open at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook Centre.
The recommendation has been published in the council’s weekly Circulated Schedule, which informs elected council members of the conclusions of planning officers’ assessments of all non-trivial or controversial applications.
Originally submitted in March 2018, the Willow Brook Centre application also seeks outline permission for two additional units in the retail terrace (extending it beyond the Poundstretcher store) and reconfiguration of the car park.
A total of 143 letters/email of objection were received from local residents in connection with the application. Bradley Stoke Town Council’s planning committee also voted unanimously to object to the application, citing traffic, highways and environmental concerns.
Six letters/email of support were received from local residents.
Concerns over highways and landscaping issues raised by SGC’s own officers have been resolved following negotiations with the applicant, although the environmental protection officer’s recommendation for the opening hours of the McDonald’s and Starbucks units to be restricted has been overruled by the case officer, leaving the way free for them to open for 24 hours a day, should the operators so wish.
The application could still be referred to SGC’s Development Management Committee for consideration, but only if three elected council members request this within the next five working days (i.e. by Thursday 10th January). The three referring councillors must include either the committee chair or one of the other two designated party political spokespersons on the committee.
Should the application be referred to committee, it would most likely be considered at the next scheduled meeting, which will be held at the Civic Centre in Kingswood on Thursday 24th January, starting at 3pm.
More information: Circulated Schedule report (item 3 refers)
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Five council members have requested that the planning application be referred to the Development Management Committee, which could potentially override the case officer’s recommendation. Read more: https://www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/2019/01/08/mcdonalds-starbucks-planning-application-referred-committee/