Coffee giant could open new branch next to a pub in town

COFFEE giant Costa could open a new branch next to a Cannock pub.

An application has come forward to build a new drive thru on land at Lichfield Road next to the Newhall Farm Inn.

If the plans are approved the new Costa branch could create 15 fulltime jobs, the application submitted to Cannock Chase Council stated. A planning statement said there was a “recognised commercial demand” for the roadside service at that location.

A previous application proposing construction of a two-storey 41-bedroom hotel was rejected by Cannock Chase Council. The decision was appealed, but the appeal was dismissed in 2008.

The planning statement said: “The appeal was dismissed on the basis that an element of the Green Space Network would be lost with no satisfactory alternative proposed. The Inspector’s decision focussed on

Policy B6 of the previous Local Plan (Cannock Chase Local Plan 1997); this has since been superseded

“The application site is a logical development site for the (latest) application proposals and has several co-locating benefits with both the adjacent public house and recently installed electric vehicle charging provision available at this location. It is expected that the unit will be occupied/operated by Costa Coffee.

“The proposed building is modest in scale, single storey in height and benefits from a flat roof profile.The proposal includes the remodelling/ reconfiguration of the existing parking arrangements.

“Following the development, the application site will accommodate 41 car parking spaces shared between the public house and drive thru unit including two disability bays and a waiting bay.

“The car parking provision to the east of the application site will be retained providing 26 spaces, including three EV spaces, to be used in association with the public house.

“The development provides a significant opportunity to enhance a green frontage and improve both the visual appearance and ecological merit of the site when compared to the existing baseline position. The building will also benefit from a green roof system which will be sown with native wildflower seeds and plug plants to deliver further ecological, biodiversity and landscape improvements.”

■ Below are other planning applications published or validated by Staffordshire councils in recent days

■ Stafford Borough Council

■ 24/38920/TWT: TPO (Tree Preservation Order) 1 1949: Wych Elm - Reduce tree to an extent to crown the tree into appropriate shape and to incorporate diseased limb, may be as much as 50% at 24 Landor Way, Stafford, ST17 9WL

■ 24/38873/HOU: Retrospective approval for driveway surface works at White Gables, Pool Lane, Brocton, ST17 0UD

■ 24/38865/HOU: Single storey rear extension, utility/rear hall and toilet at Japonica Cottage, The Outwoods, Outwoods, TF10 9EA

■ 24/38847/HOU: Proposed rear extension at Wyevern, 198 Main Road, Milford, ST17 0UN

■ 24/38839/HOU: Erection of a two storey rear and single storey side extensionanddemolishanoutbuilding to the rear at Thatch Cottage, Eccleshall Road, Sugnall, ST21 6NF

■ 24/38926/LDCPP: Erection of single storey rear extension at 62 Churchill Way, Mosspit, Stafford, ST17 9PB

■ 24/38679/HOU: Proposed detached garage, porch and replacement mono-pitched roof to existing side extension at 2 Rickerscote House, Rickerscote Road, Stafford, ST17 4HA

■ 23/38487/FUL and 23/38488/ LBC: Proposed conversion of two agricultural barns to form a single dwelling, within the curtilage of and as enabling works for repairs / works to the listed building at Walnut Tree Farm, Cowley Lane, Gnosall, ST20 0BE

■ 23/38447/FUL: Create a horse menage on agricultural land, surrounded by post and rail fence, sand surface over drainage stone at Chatcull Green Farm, Chatcull Lane, Chatcull, ST21 6QF

A Google Street View Image Of Lichfield Road Cannock With Newhall Farm Inn To The Right. Free for use by all LDRS partners