Plans for a Costa Coffee drive-through have been resubmitted in an effort to get the new unit constructed.
The previous plans, submitted in January, were withdrawn following concerns over the impact the new unit, and queues from the drive through, could have on the roundabout on New Street, as well as parking at the site.
Updated information has now been included in the plans, which the developers hope will allow it to be given approval.
The new version of the plans are very similar to the previous iteration, with two unoccupied retail units being demolished if the work is approved, with one being replaced while the other will make way for Costa Coffee.
It will be constructed next to the petrol station and McDonalds at the junction of Watery Lane and New Street, and would be the coffee chain’s fourth outlet in Andover and the second drive-through.
Concerns over the site being located at a busy junction were raised by Hampshire County Council, the highways authority, last time the plans were submitted, said that the use of the drive-through at peak times could impact on cars trying to enter the other units at the site.
Test Valley Borough Council, meanwhile, said that more information was needed on how 41 parking spaces would be provided at the site. Andover Town Council went one step further and issued an objection to the plans, saying there was a “danger of tailbacks causing excessive traffic congestion”.
The developers have said that following further information being provided, Hampshire County Council was satisfied there would be an “acceptable level of queuing” without blocking access to other units or the roundabout.
They added that concerns over the use of delivery services like Uber Eats, impacting on traffic, would be limited to five per cent of custom at the business, and that the use of delivery drivers would reduce overall traffic volumes.
The plans will now be considered by Test Valley Borough Council, with comments from Hampshire County Council and Andover Town Council to be included. To have your say on the application, visit TVBC’s planning site and search with the application number - 21/01632/FULLN.
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