Green light for drive thru coffee shop and other business units at former Woodhorn Motors site in Ashington

As well as the 178 sq m drive through, the bid to partially demolish and convert the existing building – submitted to Northumberland County Council by Mr R. Singh – also includes a commercial/business/service unit.

The plans were given the green light by council planning officers under delegated powers.

The former car showroom and workshop building lies to the south eastern corner of the site on Ellington Road with the remainder of it largely hardstanding - which was formerly used to display of cars.

A planning statement lodged on behalf of the applicant said that, if the scheme were approved, the drive through coffee shop would be occupied by “a national operator”.

It added: “The proposals would provide flexible and high-quality job opportunities for local people and would fully align with established local and national policy objectives aimed at supporting economic growth.”

There were six objections.

Concerns raised included its impact on local traffic and noise from delivery vehicles.

Three people wrote a letter supporting the bid - saying that the development would create jobs and remove the current ‘eyesore’ of the disused garage.

The planning officer report said: “The proposal is deemed acceptable with no impact to the overall character of the area and will, in turn, improve the visual amenity of the street scene.

“The development shall not be brought into use until details of the proposed highways works to facilitate vehicular, pedestrian and cyclist access from Ellington Terrace, and the pedestrian/cyclist accesses to the A197 and A1068, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.

“To protect residential amenity and provide a commensurate level of protection against noise, prior to each of the approved commercial units being brought into its intended use, a noise impact assessment must be submitted for approval to the local planning authority.”