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17
May 2021
Controversial Wetherby Road Starbucks would 'change our lives', say residents
A controversial plan for a drive-thru Starbucks on Wetherby Road would adversely affect lives, according to residents who live next to the site.
The proposals by Euro Garages would see the coffee shop built on the former 1st Dental surgery site.
Harrogate Borough Council has refused the plan three times and a government planning inspector has also turned down the application.
But the authority has now withdrawn its objection to the latest plans, leaving residents to fight an appeal by the developer themselves.
David Stephenson, who has lived on Coachman's Court with his wife for six years, is among those fighting the proposal.
Mr Stephenson's house is next door the proposed site and he would be able to see the serving hatch of the Starbucks from his lounge window.
He hoped for a quiet retirement when he moved to Coachman's Court but said the Starbucks would change that if given the go ahead.
Mr Stephenson said:
He added that residents do not object to the site needing redevelopment, but said a drive-thru coffee shop would only increase traffic at the Woodlands junction.
Read more:
- Wetherby Road Starbucks drive-thru plan to go to appeal
- Harrogate councillors cave in over Starbucks drive-thru plans
The junction is the only air quality management area in Harrogate, which obliges the local authority to improve air quality.
Another resident, Joanne Richardson, said she had concerns about the noise, pollution and number of cars coming through the site.
Ms Richardson has lived directly behind the former 1st Dental site for five years and her bedroom window would look out onto the drive-thru.
She said she was frustrated with the plan and expressed concern over the nitrogen oxide levels from cars to nearby properties.
Ms Richardson added that she “could not believe” that the council would no longer be defending its decision to refuse the plan.
In her consultation response for the appeal, Ms Richardson said:
Cllr Pat Marsh, a Liberal Democrat who represents the area on the council, said the development was another example of “big companies pushing for planning applications” to be put through.
Another appeal
Last week, the council announced it would not be defending its refusal of the proposal by Euro Garages.
The multi-million pound company, which also operates drive-thru facilities for KFC and Greggs, will be taking the council to appeal on June 15.
Read more:
- Wetherby Road residents call for expert help to fight Starbucks plan
- Angry residents to fight controversial Wetherby Road Starbucks plan at appeal
John Worthington, the council’s executive officer for development management, said officers could not stand successfully at appeal because their previous recommendation would “undermine” their case and that losing also risked legal costs of over £50,000.
A council spokesman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that not contesting the appeal “hasn’t been an easy decision to make” but was “the best way forward in this instance”.
As a result, residents will appear at the hearing to defend the council's refusal and have called for expert help ahead of the appeal to support their case.
The Stray Ferret approached Euro Garages for comment on the concerns, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
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