A planning application logged with Liverpool City Council has requested the opening of a Starbucks drive-thru at East Prescot Road. The proposal has been somewhat welcomed by Liverpool Labour Councillor Harry Doyle for bringing jobs to the area, but he raised concerns around noise and traffic for nearby residents.
Proposed development details
The proposed development consists of a single-storey Starbucks drive-thru café sharing the parking space with the adjacent KFC site, which is under the same ownership. A small outside seating area will be provided under the overhang on the northern elevation with outside tables and chairs that will be brought inside outside of opening hours.
The main customer/pedestrian access to the coffee shop will be from the north of the building, with the south elevation facing onto East Prescot Road. There is also a scheme of landscaping, lighting columns, a headlight screen fence and car park bins. The drive-thru will generate around 20 to 25 full-time equivalent new jobs on site.
Councillor's concerns
The proposed trading hours of the cafe are Monday to Saturday, 5:30am until 10:30pm, and Sunday, 6:30am until 9pm. Labour & Co-Operative Councillor for Knotty Ash & Dovecot Park Ward, Harry Doyle, shared concerns regarding noise and traffic accidents that may arise from the proposals if approved.
He said: "Whilst I’m broadly supportive of anything that will bring jobs and amenities to our area, I will be highlighting my opposition to the early opening hours currently planned for 5:30am. The noise from the drive through I believe will have an impact on surrounding residents. I also have concerns as a resident of East Prescot Road with regards to traffic accidents at the junction of Ackers Hall."
Noise assessment
Regarding noise concerns, the application states that, during the night, specific sound levels are slightly elevated above the background sound level but "absolute levels of noise and the dominant source, car movements, are not considered significant". The application claims that no adverse impact is predicted day or night at the receptors due to commercial sound.
