First Greggs drive-through in Derbyshire set for approval in Sandiacre

An artist's impression of a Greggs drive-through
-Credit: (Image: David Cox Architects)


Derbyshire’s first drive-through Greggs is among four fast food restaurants and coffee shops set for approval by a council. Plans for Greggs and Starbucks coffee shop drive-throughs off Bostocks Lane, Sandiacre, and a fast-food restaurant and coffee shop drive-throughs off Lows Lane, Stanton, are both set for approval by Erewash Borough Council.

Borough council officials have recommended that councillors approve the plans, despite concerns raised over highways safety, traffic and pollution issues. The Bostocks Lane site, off Junction 25 of the M1 and the A52 at the Sandiacre Interchange, is the same plot on which plans for a McDonald’s were refused by the borough and rejected by a Government planning inspector in 2014 due to traffic concerns.

Plans for the Greggs and Starbucks were submitted by real estate firm Northern Star Assets Ltd, registered to a Liverpool accountants with overdue accounts listed on Companies House, which was in the process of being struck off by administrators up until July last year. If approved, the Greggs drive-through would be the first in Derbyshire, with Mansfield in Nottinghamshire being the the closest fellow East Midlands site.

READ MORE:Councillors put Derby children's home provider 'on notice' that they will be watched

READ MORE:Long Eaton residents 'scared' after serious sexual assault reported on their doorstep

The firm claims that the junction would be able to operate “well within capacity thresholds” even with the new businesses, with 11-12 second delays expected for surrounding traffic. Council papers detail that former MP Maggie Throup has objected to the scheme, detailing that the planning inspector had referenced the “severe adverse impact upon the efficient operation of the highway network and the adverse impact upon highway safety” as reasons to reject the proposed McDonald’s 10 years ago.

She wrote: “I acknowledge that the current proposals do differ to some extent but do not believe that there have been material changes to the site design that would adequately address those concerns. Additionally, the volume of traffic using Sandiacre Interchange has only increased in recent years and insufficient parking is proposed, causing increased on-street parking and blocking access to narrow side streets and driveways.”

Artist's impression of a Starbucks drive-through restaurant
The planned Starbucks drive-through set for Bostocks Lane, Sandiacre -Credit:David Cox Architects

She wrote that the 6am until 11pm proposed opening hours were “wholly inappropriate” in a residential area and raised concerns over litter, childhood obesity and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Steve Bilbie said the same reasons for refusal of a drive-through fast food restaurant remained the same and would be multiplied with the potential same developments at Stanton. Cllr Wayne Major, council opposition leader, claimed the living conditions of nearby residents would be impacted and that public safety and quality of life needed to be protected.

Sandiacre, Risley with Hopwell and Stanton by Dale parish councils have all objected to the plans, detailing traffic and congestion, highways safety and anti-social behaviour concerns. Neither Derbyshire County Council’s highways department or National Highways have objected to the plans, with double-yellow lines to be added to Bostocks Lane.

A total of 40 objection letters and opposition from the “shocked and outraged” 92-resident strong Dale Abbey Village Forum have been lodged against the scheme saying there are adequate facilities elsewhere and detailing wide-ranging road safety and traffic concerns. Borough council planning officers, recommending approval, wrote: “The previous refused planning application for a drive-thru restaurant here was upheld on appeal on the grounds of noise and highways impacts.

“As this current application has provided evidence that both noise and highways impacts are acceptable, and that evidence has been accepted by the relevant statutory consultees, these matters are not grounds for resisting this development.” The planned drive-through restaurant and drive-through coffee shop on the New Stanton Park site as part of the former Stanton Ironworks development, brought by Verdant Regeneration, would also see the creation of 125 parking spaces (22 electric) and two commercial units, creating 106 jobs.

Neither of the drive-through operators have been identified. One objection letter was received by the council, raising concerns over health, air quality and net zero policies.

The applicant claims the drive-through facilities would provide employment, and would meet the needs of the thousands of employees anticipated on the wider New Stanton Park development which is currently “bereft of catering offers”.

Council officers, recommending approval, wrote: “Whilst not within the range of land uses originally consented for the New Stanton Park development, the provision of electric vehicle charging facilities and drive-thru restaurants would help reduce the need to travel off-site for the potentially thousands of employees on site, would assist in objectives for renewable energy and more sustainable means of travel, and would assist in encouraging inward investment to New Stanton Park by providing food and drink facilities not currently available for employees.”