New Starbucks will be a ‘godsend’ in Gainsborough
A new Starbucks will be built on a piece of land in Gainsborough which has been vacant for 17 years, with councillors calling it a “fantastic opportunity” for the area.
There are hopes the drive-thru on Carr Lane in Gainsborough will kickstart more regeneration, with the applicant Ozziefields Ltd hinting more developments could follow.
It will create between ten and 20 jobs, and bring life back to a site which hasn’t been used since 2009.
West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the application on Wednesday, September 16.
Tim Bradford of Eddisons, representing the applicant said: “This is the type of new development which this part of Gainsborough desperately needs.
“It will deliver social and economic benefits to this deprived area, and will revitalise a redundant site at a key gateway to the town.
“The first phase will be the catalyst for further development on this site and wider area. Without development, the site will remain derelict indefinitely.”
Ozziefields Ltd had originally proposed three units, which was scaled back to one.
Coun Jeanette McGhee, who represents the area, urged the planning committee to approve the application.
She said: “This is a godsend, and will lift the aesthetic of an area in desperate need of a makeover.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for new jobs for younger people and a visual boost.
“Recently Carr Lane has been disparaged in the press – this is an opportunity to do something positive.
“Development begets development – hopefully it will kickstart more regeneration in the area.”
Coun Ian Fleetwood said: “It’s good to see another international name coming to the area. It appears the UK still has a thirst for coffee shops.”
Members also criticised the national planning laws that meant the plans had taken so long to come to fruition.
Developers are typically asked to pay to offset biodiversity loss when they build on land, but this was waived as it would have made the project unviable.
Coun Tom Smith said: “We harangue developers for not using brownfield land, but is it any wonder why?
“Look at the difficulty and the amount of hoops the developer has jumped through here. If we make it difficult, they just won’t jump it.”