McDonald’s and Costa coffee drive thru planned on the outskirts of Lutterworth

The fast food giant has applied for permission to build a new restaurant at Leaders Farm, in Coventry Road, as well as a neighbouring coffee shop that will also have a drive-thru facility.

The site sits on a roundabout towards the south of A4303, close to Junction 20 of the M1 and near to Lutterworth’s huge logistics centre, Magna Park.

It is currently owned by Leicestershire County Council and remains vacant as grassy land next to the road.

Planning officials at Harborough District Council have recommended the application be approved but the council’s planning committee will get the final verdict.

The McDonald’s drive-thru will sit on the west of the site, running next to Fairacres Coventry Road, whereas the smaller Costa coffee shop will sit at the north, to ensure that the drive-thru lanes do not interfere with each other.

The site would also have a 56-space car park with four disabled bays, as well as zebra crossing and walk ways.

Concerns have been raised by some council officials about the impact of noise coming from the site.

A member of the district council’s environmental health team said in the planning documents the amount of traffic using in the cark park could be a cause for concern as the site will be open 24 hours a day.

A speed limit on the A4303 Lutterworth Road will also be put in place as a result of the new development.

Road users will now have to travel at 50mph when approaching the roundabout to keep pedestrians safe.

McDonalds would be expected to provide money to support the local community as a result of the new development, known as a section 106 payment.

The chain will contribute nearly £9,000 towards the cost of the traffic regulation order that will change the speed limit on the road and are also expected to provide ‘travel packs’ to new employees, who will each will be given a six month bus pass to encourage them to use sustainable travel to and from work.

The district council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday, February 28, to decide the application.