Plans for a drive-through Costa to be built in place of Congleton's tip which will be demolished have been approved by Cheshire East Council.

Nub News has previously reported that the lease, which is due to expire in September, is not being renewed for Congleton's household waste and recycling centre, off Barn Road.

In May, Cheshire East's cabinet agreed 'that the Congleton household waste recycling centre (HWRC) would not be replaced' whilst a borough-wide review of the centres was undertaken.

However, landowner Bluemantle, sought full planning permission for the demolition of all buildings on the recycling site and the erection of a Costa drive-through coffee shop, car parking, access and landscaping.

Congleton Town Council and 39 other households submitted their objections to the application on Cheshire East's planning portal.

Cheshire East felt the design of the site was considered to be "acceptable in this particular location" and "in keeping with the character and appearance of surrounding development".

The drive-through which includes off-road parking will also have a new access off a private road section of Barn Road.

There will be a new pedestrian access provided into the site from the existing shared footway/cycleway on Barn Road.

This access will be segregated from the main vehicle access and was considered "sufficient" to serve the site.

However, Cheshire East felt the existing access serving the waste site was "sub-standard" with Barn Road being reduced to a single car width.

The authority claimed that this would be improved by relocating the access west to a point where two-way travel on Barn Road was possible. The site access would also be "sufficiently widened".

The new access will be 15m east of the main road which was deemed "acceptable" because the private section of Barn Road was not a through road and also had "little development" located off it.

A Cheshire East Council case officer said in their planning report: "A visibility splay has been provided which should be kept clear of obstructions such as signage or planting, which will allow exiting drivers to look right for vehicles entering, and vice-versa."

The application will see 15 trees removed inside the site boundaries with 15 to be planted in replacement.

The existing waste recycling centre is located immediately adjacent to Warburton's Wood Local Wildlife Site (LWS).

It was considered that the proposed development would not result in a "direct loss" of habitat from the LWS.

However, due to their proximity there was the risk that habitats within the LWS "might be damaged" during the construction phase of the proposed development.

The case officer concluded: "The proposed development is considered to be in keeping with the character of the area and would not adversely impact upon the amenities of neighbours."

The application was approved.