PLANS seeking amendments to the approved drive-thru units for the final phase of a leisure and retail site have been approved.

The Star reported after proposals, submitted in 2022, had received permission to add drive-thru units for a Greggs bakery and Dunkin’ Donuts, at the West Point site, off Linkway West.

Consent was sought for the creation of two “class E units” for the selling of hot and cold beverages for consumption on and off the premises.

The units are to be situated in the corner of the complex towards Liverpool Road.

Plans included for internal and external seating areas, provision of drive-thru lanes, car parking, landscaping and associated works. 

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A design and access statement, drawn up by Orbit Developments, said: “This application relates to the final phase of the Linkway West development and is submitted to enable Greggs and Dunkin' Donuts to operate from the site.”

One proposed unit will be 180 sq metres internally and the other 130 sq metres.

The proposals are the final part of ‘Phase B’ of the development at Linkway West, which the existing Costa Coffee forms part of.

St Helens Star: Costa Coffee at the siteCosta Coffee at the site (Image: Orbit Developments (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

The completed phases A and C at the site have seen an Aldi supermarket, Home Bargains store, Superbowl tenpin bowling alley, German Doner Kebab restaurant and Planet Doughnut already launch at the site over the past several years.

Plans added: “Together the two units proposed will directly result in the creation of an estimated eight full time and 27 part time new jobs” and “indirectly” in jobs during construction and fit-out stages.

Approving the proposals, planning officers said they "would represent sustainable development on an appropriate sequentially located site". 

However, work on the final phase has yet to start at the location.

A new application was submitted in April this year by Orbit seeking to make some amendments to the original plans.

St Helens Star: A view of the complex from Linkway WestA view of the complex from Linkway West (Image: Orbit Developments (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

These include for "changes to units A and B, alterations to landscaping, cycle spaces and drive-thru lane, relocation of waiting bay, removal of staff crossing point, extension of kerb island between drive thru lanes, and addition of acoustic fence".

Plans state that for Unit A there will be additional timber cladding to the front elevation, additional glazing to a side elevation with timber overlay, a relocation of a secure cycle store and repositioning of two cycles stands. Also the removal of a fire escape door to a side elevation and an associated amendment to a glazed curtain walling has been made.

Meanwhile, for Unit B a change to external materials including the colour of timber cladding and the addition of a render finish, the drive thru order point has been moved further along the lane, with the repositioning of a front door and relocation of a rear door.

There has been an amendment to a bin store and extension of a kerb island between drive-thru lanes, with the addition of an acoustic fence between order points.

The amendments have been approved by, meaning no new planning permission will be required.