A NEW drive-thru coffee shop is set to open near to Birchwood Shopping Centre.

An application for planning permission has been submitted to Warrington Borough Council for the planned scheme on land off Dewhurst Road, opposite the Peacock pub.

Alderley Edge-based North West Portfolio Ltd’s development includes the demolition of an existing garage on the site and additional parking for adjacent offices.

The coffee shop would open between 5am and 10pm daily.

Submission documents stated: “The site has no existing use, being a grassed area of land with some trees, a small garage and five parking spaces.

“It is proposed to be used as a new drive-thru coffee shop unit, together with associated parking.

“Additional parking is also to be provided for the adjacent office building.

“The proposed small, single-storey building is of a contemporary design incorporating a number of features – it has been designed to sit comfortably within its surroundings and maintain a significant landscape buffer to Dewhurst Road.

"In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, every opportunity should be taken to encourage economic activity and job creation.

"It is the service and retail sectors where job losses are expected to rise most as a result of the pandemic, and the biggest job creation package in peacetime is needed to prevent the worst unemployment crisis in Britain for a generation.

"Planning permission should be granted without delay."