Starbucks tipped to open new branch in Gainsborough

The application for the new coffee shop has been in the works for more than three years, and will finally receive a decision at West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee.

The Starbucks would be located off Carr Lane, opposite an unfinished housing development project on Lea Road.

Cliff Court (Redcar) Developments Ltd had originally proposed two drive-thrus and a car rental service, which would have created 55 jobs.

This has since been revised to a single retail unit for the land, which has been vacant for around 20 years.

A similar application for six shops was granted in 2013, but never became a reality.

The latest application states: “A redundant and underutilised brownfield site on a key route into Gainsborough town centre will be brought back into an active and worthwhile use, complementing the adjacent residential land uses.”

According to planning documents, the delay in deciding the application is largely down to issues over biodiversity loss from the construction.

One local resident has put forward an objection, saying: “There is currently a development on the opposite corner of new houses and flats being built which will also impact on the volume of traffic passing our road end.

“It is difficult to get out from our road end onto Lea Road as it is.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported in March that it had been three years since work has been carried out on the housing development, which should have formed 220 apartments and five shops or restaurants.

Residents labelled the site an “eyesore” which was becoming a magnet for trouble.