Triple Jersey Ltd – acting on behalf of Burger King – has won an appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a new drive-thru restaurant at Wickes car park off the A48 Picton Court roundabout in Bridgend (pdf).
Permission was originally refused on highway grounds. To support the refusal, Bridgend Council argued there’s no suitable pedestrian crossing at the A48 Picton Court roundabout, that the number of proposed parking spaces falls just short of their requirements and that there would be a lack of capacity at the Waterton and Picton Court roundabouts for the increased traffic generated by the drive-thru. All of these points were rejected by the planning inspector.
Local councillors also raised the issue of anti-social behaviour at other car parks in the area and concerns that would move to the Wickes car park if it remained open while the store was closed.
The ongoing dispute had been described as a “David vs Goliath” battle in the national media, as a popular food van – Meg’s Grill and Chill – is currently based at the car park and would almost certainly have to move to make way for Burger King.
The planning inspector dismissed objections on these grounds, as “the impact of the proposed development on this business isn’t a material consideration”.
The applicant was also awarded full costs, to be paid by Bridgend Council (pdf).
The planning inspector concluded that BCBC had acted “unreasonably” by submitting evidence late to the hearing – which was held in March.
BCBC also failed to properly counter the applicant’s supporting arguments on parking and highway safety with hard evidence.
