DRIVE THRU, BENTLEY BRIDGE RETAIL PARK, WEDNESFIELD

PROJECT

We were instructed by Tim Hortons to support an application for the redevelopment of an existing Pizza Hut restaurant to provide a Tim Hortons Drive Thru restaurant. As Tim Hortons are legally permitted to occupy the store without the need for planning permission, the proposals simply comprised the addition of a drive thru lane.

APPROACH

Given the relatively small scale of the proposals in comparison to the lawfully permitted use, we prepared a short Transport Statement to examine the key transport related issues. This included a review of car parking provision, noting that the proposals would result in a reduction of nine spaces, and swept path assessments to confirm the suitability of the proposed servicing and refuse collection.

As the proposals did not result in any change of the use of the unit and there was no significant change in floor area, it was not considered that there would be any material change in primary trip attraction.

Following submission of the planning application, a query was raised by the highway officer in relation to the potential impact of the proposed development on visibility splays at the adjacent roundabout. We prepared a response to this which demonstrated that the proposals would not impact on the existing visibility splays as set out in DMRB guidance for roundabouts.

OUTCOME

The planning application was granted permission on 23rd March 2021.