A NEW Starbucks drive-through would form a key part of a proposed business site which would ‘create dozens of jobs and attract investment on Portland’.

Pure Town Planning Limited has submitted a planning application to build a coffee shop and nine business units associated access, parking and landscaping works at Site P Osprey Quay, Hamm Beach Road.

Extensive plans show the coffee drive-through shop would be visible to motorists off the Hamm Roundabout and near to the new Lidl supermarket which opened last year. 

Two commercial buildings, one of five units and another of four units, would be built on the eastern section of the site. These units will be occupied by commercial and storage and distribution businesses. 

A total of 26 car parking spaces, including two disabled spaces, are proposed for Starbucks while 50 parking bays, including five disabled spaces, would be provided for the proposed business site within a separate car park. 

The applicant feels that this development proposal would ‘bring investment into Portland’ by building on a vacant site and create a ‘significant economic benefit to the local area including through job creation’.

Dorset Echo: How the business units and Starbucks would look from the seaHow the business units and Starbucks would look from the sea

The planning application states: “The drive-through coffee shop is not a use which is specified within the Local Plan. 

“It is considered that this proposed use would complement the local uses, serving those in the vicinity for shopping, working or leisure uses. It is considered that it would be an appropriate use to add to the mix of retail, business, leisure and residential uses in Osprey Quay.

“Clearly the proposal will have a visual impact on the character of the locality moving from an open undeveloped site to one which was developed. However, this site has long been envisaged for development in the Osprey Quay allocation and in the masterplan.

"On that basis, outline planning permission has been granted on the site for development in the past.”

A transport assessment, which assessed the development’s impact on the nearby roads, found the site would be no ‘detrimental impact’ on the local highway network. 

Local councillor Paul Kimber feels the plans need to be further scrutinised before a decision is made on the site’s future.

Dorset Echo: How the Portland site will be divided between Starbucks and business units How the Portland site will be divided between Starbucks and business units

In his comment on the application, he said: “I suggest this goes to the planning committee to examine policy protecting the environment. (The) reason is this encourages people to use their car more when we should be encouraging people to use their car less.”

If approved, it would become the second Starbucks in the area after the coffee giant opened a similar drive-through branch next to Aldi at Chickerell. The branch, which opened in May 2019, created 14 jobs in the area. 

A spokeswoman for Starbucks was unable to disclose any information about the proposed Portland branch. 

She said: “We are always looking for new locations and opportunities to bring the Starbucks experience to customers in the UK, but at this time we have no updates to share about plans at Portland.”

Comments on the application are invited via the Dorset Council website. Search for application number WP/20/00705/FUL