By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a Starbucks drive-thru near Gloucester have been given the go-ahead despite noise and pollution concerns.
Gloucester BP Developments Ltd has been granted permission for the new coffee shop on 0.67 acres of undeveloped land north of Delta Way on plot 6 at Gloucester Business Park in Brockworth.
Tewkesbury Borough Council approved plans for the 1,840 sq ft single storey drive-thru cafe which will be occupied by Starbucks last week amid objections from people living nearby.
Several residents raised concerns over the loss of privacy, significant noise nuisance and air pollution.
They also say the drive-thru will lead to the removal of valuable green space.
“We object to the planning of this Starbucks cafe,” one objector said.
“First of all, there is a local business park around the corner, which has a Greggs and Costa.
“What is the need for another cafe? Not to mention there is a Starbucks already on Eastern Avenue.
“Although the area that is proposed to be used is not full of wildlife, the area could be used to encourage more wildlife, rather than taking away the trees and shrubs that are there, replacing them with concrete.
“The road cars would have to pull into and out of, is an increasingly busy road, with this cafe only encouraging more traffic.
“I could only imagine that this will probably more likely cause road traffic collisions.”
Another objector said the plans would lead to unacceptable noise levels.
“Is it acceptable to have running cars driving through a drive through 14 hours a day next to gardens where children play?
“Residents’ children should not be subject to the expected level of pollution within a few meters of where they play.”
And Hucclecote Parish Council also objected to the plans and raised concerns over the development being so close to residential properties.
“We also note the concerns of a local business regarding the access and road safety. The parish council objection still stands,” they said.
However, consultants working on the scheme said the scheme had evolved to present a high-quality project.
“[It] will be both practical for its intended use as well as being memorable and distinctive, positively contributing to the economy of the local area while using high quality architecture, landscape and urban design,” they said.
The Borough Council issued a decision notice approving the proposals on February 10, 2025.