CONTROVERSIAL plans for a drive-thru coffee shop at a retail park have brewed up anger from residents who think it will add to traffic problems.

A planning application seeks permission to build the new drive-thru on part of the car park at Elgar Retail Park in Blackpole, Worcester.

Drawings submitted with the planning application by Legal and General do not reveal what business would be opening the drive-thru but the drawings are similar in design to Starbucks throughout the country. A consultation ended on July 11 with objections received from neighbours about traffic, noise, parking and a perceived saturation of coffee shops nearby. 

One resident, who declined to be named. said: “We don’t want this. Mostly I’m dreading the noise that will come with this awful development. I already hear the tannoy at the KFC. This new coffee shop will be next door to it, so I’ll hear everything from that too. There are already half a dozen places to get coffee close by, day or night. Why do we have to have another?”

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Warndon city councillor Jill Desayrah said: “Looking at what is proposed, where it is to be sited, and having spoken with many of the residents about their issues, I must support them by opposing these plans. I've registered my intention with Worcester City Council to stand down on this item when it comes to the planning committee as I want to speak against it."

Georgia Gallanagh-Edwards of Drapers Close writes: "Residents already cannot pull out of Masons Drive due to extreme traffic at the retail sites this will further exacerbate the issues."

Roger Groves, of Drapers Close, writes: "Why do we need another coffee shop in Blackpole area when there is already Costa, Greggs, Next, Dunhelm and KFC who sell coffee? 

"Plus the fact that there will be more traffic congestion around the retail parks in Blackpole and a badly planned bus stop by Lidl. Please reject this application for a drive-through coffee shop."

Amanda Harrison, of Masons Drive, writes: "The traffic is awful around here, We don't need any more traffic.

"We struggle to get off our estate some days and weekends and bank holidays it is (at a) standstill. 

She added: "There is not enough parking spaces over there. They often park on our estate and walk over, which is annoying as they block our driveways. I think it's a stupid idea."

The drive-thru for a new coffee shop would be built in the middle of the Blackpole Road retail park, resulting in a loss of 24 parking spaces and a number of trees.

The application said that 11 of the 35 lost car parking spaces would be replaced and new trees would be planted elsewhere to compensate for the loss.

The opening hours of the unit have not been confirmed, however, the application seeks unrestricted trading hours.