McDonald’s & Starbucks planning application referred to committee

Willow Brook Centre expansion masterplan (annotated extract).

A planning application for development at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook Centre that would include two new food units anticipated to be occupied by McDonald’s and Starbucks has been referred to a South Gloucestershire Council planning committee for consideration.

The referral has been requested by local ward councillor Sarah Pomfret (Conservative, Bradley Stoke Central & Stoke Lodge), with the support of three other councillors plus the chair of the relevant planning committee, the Development Management Committee (DMC).

The three supporting councillors are:

  • Cllr Roger Avenin (Conservative, Bradley Stoke South)
  • Cllr Keith Cranney (Conservative, Stoke Gifford)
  • Cllr Ken Dando (Conservative, Patchway)

The chair of the DMC is Cllr June Bamford (Conservative, Hanham). Cllrs Avenin and Dando also sit on the nine-member committee.

Under new planning procedures introduced last November, a minimum of three council members is required to refer an application to committee (previously just one was needed).

The reasons for referral are given as:

“Satellite outlet too close to neighbours, original masterplan had all buildings together in a block away from houses. Similar reasons to Domino’s refusal reasons previously (PT10/3271). Noise and light pollution and disturbance at night in a residential area where the streetlights go off at midnight. Car engine idling and revving and exhaust fumes from drive thru. Litter in surrounding streets. Encouraging car traffic to the area not environmentally friendly.”

The news comes just a few days after the planning department’s case officer recommended that the application be approved, subject to conditions.

The next meeting of the DMC is due to be held at the Civic Centre in Kingswood on Thursday 24th January, starting at 3pm.

Image: Masterplan from the planning application (click to enlarge).

More information: Completed member referral form


UPDATE (15th January 2019)

An SGC spokesperson told the Journal: “The application is due to be heard at the 24th January 2019 Development Management Committee. No site visit is planned prior to the meeting.”

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