A petition has been signed by more than 50 residents opposing plans for KFC and Costa ‘drive-thru’ restaurants at Gallagher Leisure Park.
As reported last week, new owners Urban and Civic (Bradford) Ltd, who bought the Dick Lane park back in October, hope the two new ‘drive thrus’ will help reinvigorate the development.
But local opposition is growing to the proposals.
Dave Forrest, of nearby Grange View, said three pages of residents’s names opposing the development had been submitted to Leeds council’s planning department. He said:
“Local residents are really concerned about a number of issues.
“Traffic congestion is a big issue in the area – there are already problems at peak times and, according to the developers’ own statistics, these restaurants could bring in 419 extra visitors an hour.
“We’re also concerned about the opening hours. They’re planning to open six days a week from 6am-midnight and, worryingly, deliveries are not allowed during those times, which could lead to noisy late-night or early morning deliveries.”
Mr Forrest said he was concerned that the restaurants were too close to Thornbury Primary School, according to Leeds Council’s planning guidance.
Opponents have also enlisted the support of Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew.
A statement accompanying the planning application said developers aimed to invest significantly to help ‘sustain the park as a viable and attractive leisure location in the west Leeds / east Bradford area’.
Full details of the planning application can be viewed – and commented upon – here.