A planning application to build a drive-thru coffee shop, believed to be for Costa, in the car park at B&Q in Glastonbury, has been approved by Mendip District Council.

The application for the building of a coffee shop with drive-thru facility in the car park of the B&Q store, Wirral Park Road, Glastonbury, had been submitted for South Somerset District Council, who bought the site for £4.4 million in September 2019.

The development comprises the construction of a single-storey drive-thru unit plus associated outdoor seating and car parking. The drive-thru will be located in the south eastern corner of the car park.

The drive-thru lane will enter from the existing car park to the west of the proposed building, loop to the south of the coffee shop around to the east and out back into the existing car park. Access to the B&Q car park will remain as it is now from Wirral Park Road.

South Somerset District Council has allocated £700,000 in its budget towards a Costa Coffee investment, with the money being made available until April 2022.

However, the council has not confirmed the location of the Costa branch in question, citing commercial sensitivity.

It also declined to confirm whether its planned coffee stop in Glastonbury would be a Costa branch or would be operated by a different company.

A planning application for a drive-thru restaurant cafe was approved at the site back in 2015, though never actioned, including changes to the B&Q retail unit.

In approving the current plans, Mendip said that the site was within the designated development limits of Glastonbury, but outside of the town centre boundary.

Glastonbury Town Council backed the plans and only one letter of objection was submitted to Mendip, citing concerns over the impact on the High Street due to close proximity.

The planning officer's report said: "The application would introduce a modest drive-thru facility on the edge of the town centre boundary which would result in job creation and thus have benefits to the local economy.

"The application site falls 1.2km outside the town centre boundary and would deliver a takeaway service.

"It is considered that the drive-thru only aspect of this application means there would be a minimal impact on Glastonbury town centre.

"The primary service will be from customers using a private vehicle who are likely passing the site on the A39 or leaving the wider business park.

"The view is also considered by the Mendip District Council Planning Policy Team who consider the distance to result in a service to a different customer base and not retract business away from the High Street."