Costa drive-through planned for former Chester village pub

Plans for the change of use from the former home of The Old Trooper in Christleton into a drive-through coffee shop have been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Planning consultant director Richard Gee, for Roman Summer Associates, applying on behalf of Valedown Developments Ltd, said the proposal would also create three new apartments at the site, adding to the two existing ones.

There would also be an extension to the rear, external alterations including new/replacement doors and windows, roof alterations and the removal of a chimney, and a new circular drive-through route around a 23-space car park for the coffee shop (including two disabled parking spaces) and five spaces for the five apartments, plus a bike rack for eight bicycles.

There would also be an external terrace at the rear for coffee shop customers.

Mr Gee stated the site had been occupied by the Old Trooper Harvester restaurant until its closure in November 2018.

He added that technically, no change of use application may be necessary as the Old Trooper operated as a restaurant, which was now in the same class use category as a coffee shop.

However, Mr Gee stated: "The appellant and the prospective end user (Costa Coffee) wish to establish a clear planning position going forward, with no ambiguity or question marks. In noting this, we are mindful that the original use of The Old Trooper was a public house, and that use morphed into restaurant use over the course of time, but retained an element of public house use."

The application adds: "This tired and vacant site is not contributing to the functioning or vitality of Christleton as a defined 'local service centre' and it is clear that an alternative and sustainable use needs to be found, which will serve both the local community and the wider area, and will deliver social, economic and environmental benefits.

"It is the applicant's contention that the proposal is an entirely appropriate form of development within Christleton's local service centre.

"It is anticipated the new coffee shop will generate approximately 10 entirely new jobs for local people.

"Located on a principal road, the new facility will also be a popular and convenient 'pit stop' and meeting place for passing traffic. Costas are increasingly used by the business community as convenient meeting venues, and the company is particularly seeking a presence along a main route into/out of Chester as one of its principal 'target cities'.

"The site is therefore ideally located to serve that commercial aspiration."

Mr Gee added the opening hours for the Costa Coffee would be between 6.30am and 11pm, while the redeveloped building would occupy a smaller space due to the demolition work at the rear in order to accommodate the drive-through facility.

The application also proposes an extent of soft landscaping, to 'green' what is currently a hard urban environment.

Comments on the application, reference 21/0122/FUL, can be made to Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning online comment facility, or by writing to Development Management, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 0BE, by May 21.

Plans such as this one can be found in the Standard's online Public Notices portal and in The Standard each Thursday.