Costa submits plans for drivethrough outlet with restaurant
PLANS for a new Costa Coffee restaurant and drive-through in Fort William have been submitted to the Highland Council, writes Ellie Forbes.
The site at Nevis Square was set to be occupied by KFC with planning permission secured for the outlet in 2014.
Developers Herbal Eastern bought the land two years ago for KFC, but after the fast-food chain pulled out of plans to build on the site earlier this year, the company put in a bid for Costa.
Nevis Garden Centre and John Disher’s floor coverings were the last businesses to occupy the site, and they were demolished to make way for KFC.
Plans for Costa include a restaurant and drive-through and outdoor seating.
Tim Stott, principal planner with the Highland Council, told
The Oban Times: ‘The site, which has had a retail use for a long time, has planning permission for similar drive-through retail use and is previously developed or brownfield land.
‘Impact on Fort William Town Centre will be considered but it is not likely to be a major issue because there’s already a Costa unit in the High Street and this new unit appears to be for an additional, not replacement, drive-through, Costa.’
Decided
Mr Stott also said: ‘It has only just been lodged as an application so no permission yet, but it should be decided within two months.
‘We don’t know if and when Costa will implement any planning permission, but the construction period would typically be six to 12 months for this size of development.’