Starbucks drive thru in Blackpole is 'threat to trees'

If given the green light, the Starbucks drive thru would open at Elgar Retail Park in Blackpole in Worcester despite heavy criticism of a similar previous application.

Although the plans were withdrawn last December, a new application has now been submitted by applicant Legal and General this month in which the position of the drive-thru has been altered because of the protected trees.

However, critics say the repositioned drive thru would still damage the trees and Warndon's Labour councillor has called for the scheme to be thrown out.  

CONCERN: Critics of the Starbucks scheme for Elgar Retail Park are worried it will still have an impact on protected trees (Image: Supplied)

Cllr Jill Desayrah said: "Last December Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) were applied to five mature London plane trees that would have been felled in the original plan submitted by developers.

"The latest plan reorientates the restaurant so as to retain the trees but places the development extremely close to them.

"Some lower branches are to be tied upwards to allow for the building of an awning and the drive through lane is likely to have a detrimental effect on their roots.

"Both proposals put the trees survival at risk. The tie-back process is very likely to snap the branches and digging down around the roots might sever them. If either or both sorts of damage occur the trees are likely to die.

"The loss of these trees was a key part of the many objections raised by residents when plans were submitted in June last year.

"Other objections around over development and loss of amenity were also raised, along with residents’ fears about the drive-through creating more gridlock on the Blackpole Road, attracting antisocial behaviour and increasing littering that would attract vermin and gulls.  Whilst these objections are significant it was the TPOs sent the developers back to the drawing board.

"This latest plan reorientates the restaurant so as to retain the trees, but places the development extremely close to them. Some lower branches are to be tied upwards to allow for the building of an awning and the drive through lane reinforcements would have a detrimental effect on their roots.

"The developer’s plan also proposes to fell a mature ash tree and trim the branches of smaller ash trees to allow machinery into the car park during construction."

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She has been advised by one of her residents, Matt Brown, whom she described as 'an expert in tree care'.

Cllr Desayrah added: “Once again I will be supporting residents who want to stop this appalling plan succeeding.

"Any unnecessary loss of ash trees is gratuitous in the context of the ash die back crisis and cutting branches will release and allow the spread of spores that will accelerate the disease in the local area.

"Neither of these proposed actions is acceptable. But it is even more important that the protection orders on the beautiful London plane trees are upheld. The proposals that put them at risk must be thrown out. Hopefully city council planning officers will listen to these pleas, act accordingly and refuse this application.”

We have approached Legal and General for a comment.