New Dumfries drive-thru beside site of potential Costa Coffee set for green light

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Plans for a new drive-thru at a Dumfries retail park look set to get the green light.

The proposed development at the Peel Centre would be beside the site of a potential Costa Coffee outlet.

Members of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s planning applications committee have been recommended to approve the development – although a number of local residents have objected.

The development would feature a drive-thru, takeaway and outdoor seating.

The application includes plans for just a few parking spaces, although case officer Toril Glendinning points out 32 parking spaces have been approved as part of a planning application for an adjacent area of land, with the new restaurant using the same access.

The parking spaces were part of an application for a new coffee shop drive-thru approved in 2018, although work only started last year and has yet to be finished. Planning papers lodged in 2018 reveal proposals for Costa Coffee signs.

Mr Glendinning’s report for the latest proposal states: “The potential operator of the facility is not known at this stage.”

He highlights that the area of land has been unused since the Peel Centre opened more than 20 years ago.

Local residents are concerned that the development would result in more traffic on Lockerbie Road and fear the Peel Centre wouldn’t be able to cope with the extra vehicles.

In his report, Mr Glendinning believes it is unlikely there would be an adverse impact due to noise and points out the council roads team has raised no concerns about access from Lockerbie Road.

He adds: “It is not considered that the additional traffic expected from this development would result in a situation leading to an adverse negative impact on the road network in this location over and above what currently exists.”

He accepts that the 32 parking spaces on their own may not be sufficient, however the Peel Centre – also home to a Tesco supermarket as well as chains such as TK Maxx and Sports Direct – has more than 300 spaces.

He recommends approval subject to conditions, including the store is only open between 7am and 11pm.

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