D-Day for new Hartlepool drive-through Starbucks plan

Plans for a Starbucks drive through are due to go before councillors on Wednesday.

Council officers are recommending the development, on the site of the former Hartlepool Snooker Club, on Green Street, be approved.

If passed, it would be Hartlepool’s second custom-built drive-through coffee shop after a Costa opened at the Vision Retail Park earlier this month.

The applicant says the new Starbucks would create 25 jobs.

The former snooker centre had to be demolished after being destroyed by a fire three years ago.

Four letters of objection have been received by Hartlepool Borough Council over the proposed development.

They raise concerns about difficulty of access onto Burn Road from Green Street, question demand for the drive through and say there are similar outlets at the marina and Teesbay Retail Park, which also has permission for a drive-through Starbucks.

A report by council officer states: “Whilst it is acknowledged that this junction can at times be difficult to negotiate due to the close proximity of the roundabout and the large volumes of traffic, the number of vehicles expected to use the drive-through does not give cause for concern, and it is expected that impact on local junctions would not be classed as ‘severe’.”

In August last year, the same site gained planning permission for a two-storey building of five industrial units with offices above.

The permission is still valid.

Council officers say in their report that the proposal goes against its 2006 Local Plan which allocates the location for industrial development.

But in its new plan, which is being considered by a government-appointed inspector now, the area is identified as employment land which would support it.

The drive through plan also includes seating inside with some outside and car parking for 20 vehicles.

The council says the design and appearance of the building is acceptable.

The report added: “It is not considered that the proposal would have a detrimental impact upon the visual amenity of the area.”

A decision is due to be made at the meeting which starts at 10am and will be held in the council chamber at the civic centre.