ANGER is growing over a drive-thru coffee shop plan as residents launch a petition calling for the scheme to be scrapped over gridlock and pollution fears.

Plans have been submitted for the drive-thru coffee shop at the Elgar Retail Park in Blackpole, Worcester, as we now reveal more about the strength of opposition to the proposal which has yet to go before planners at Worcester City Council.

Some residents have stuck homemade posters in their windows showing their objection to the scheme while many have registered comments online calling on planners to ditch the application. However, traffic experts at Worcestershire County Council say the new drive-thru is likely to have 'minimal impact' on the roads.

Worcester News: BUSY: The Elgar Retail Park in Blackpole, Worcester could get a new drive thru coffee shop - but not many residents seem happy about the idea BUSY: The Elgar Retail Park in Blackpole, Worcester could get a new drive thru coffee shop - but not many residents seem happy about the idea (Image: Google)

Drawings submitted with the planning application by Legal and General do not reveal what business is behind the scheme.

However, the drawings are similar in design to Starbucks throughout the country.

A consultation ended on July 11 with objections from neighbours about traffic, noise, litter, parking, air pollution and a perceived saturation of coffee shops nearby. 

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Mike Stafford, of Joiners Close, said: “Years of poor traffic management has brought the area to a crisis point.

"The last thing we all need is another business adding to the traffic before the current issues are resolved. And that this is another drive-thru business, inviting even more vehicles to the area, just adds insult to injury. It must be stopped."

Another resident has been walking a petition around the nearby streets, gaining 100 signatures in just a few days.

Concerns include fears about increased parking and traffic issues, noise nuisance, seagulls and litter, and potential “meets” on the car park at night.

The plans propose reducing parking capacity by 24 spaces to accommodate the drive-thru - with concerns surrounding roads could be used as an 'overspill carpark'. 

Residents say Masons Drive and surrounding roads are already used by retail park customers and drivers wait 10 or 15 minutes to turn right onto Blackpole Road at certain times of day as it is.

Cllr Jill Desayrah, the Warndon city councillor, said: "One of the most serious aspects is the possibility of degrading air quality.

"Current information on levels of air pollution on that section of Blackpole Road are badged acceptable by WRS, but I'm asking for specific measurements to be given."

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “In responding to the planning application for a drive-thru restaurant on Elgar Retail Park, we have requested additional details for usage of the car park, with a focus on whether the loss of 24 parking spaces is acceptable.

“Traffic analysis shows that most trips associated with the proposed development are likely to be already on the road network, meaning there will be minimal impact in the area. We are aware of congestion around the retail park during busy periods and are looking at ways to improve this to help inform any future plans.”