Plans for a Burger King and coffee shop drive-through in Dundee could soon be approved despite concerns it will increase car use.
The fast food giant wants to open a 24/7 store on Riverside Avenue in Dundee’s West End, in a partnership with applicant Euro Garages.
The restaurant would sit alongside an as yet unnamed drive-through coffee shop, which would also operate 24/7, with each serving hot and cold food and drink for eating in or take-away.
Pedestrian access concerns
But local groups the West End Community Council and Dundee Civic Trust have both raised concerns about the development near the city’s airport.
Councillors will vote on whether to approve the proposals in Dundee City Council’s planning committee on Monday March 14.
The community council’s chairman Russell Pepper is highly critical of the proposal.
He said: “It’s an awful development and should not be built.
“It will take trade away from Perth Road, particularly pupils from Harris Academy, some of whom will likely walk down there instead of visiting local shops.
“We also have concerns over access to the site for pedestrians – there is no pedestrian crossing nearby.
“It will also definitely increase car use.”
Planning permission previously granted
The development, which would sit just along from the Riverside Inn next to an Amazon depot, would have 47 car parking spaces with a minimum of two electric charging points.
Planning permission had already been granted in February 2021 for a very similar proposal but no firms had signed up to operate the sites.
This time Euro Garages, owners of the site, say “two national food operators” have already agreed to fill the spaces.
Burger King is named within one of the documents filed with Dundee City Council but no reference is made to the coffee chain which plans to move in.
As well as with Burger King, Euro Garages have also forged drive through partnerships across the UK with Starbucks, Subway, and Greggs.
The applicants say up to 70 full time and part time jobs would be created once open.
Proposal could encourage car use
Dundee Civic Trust chairman, Donald Gordon, said the proposal goes against the Scottish Government’s aim to reduce unnecessary car travel and the council’s plans to support existing centres.
He said: “This development will actively encourage travel by car and be to the detriment of eating establishments in the city centre and other established neighbourhoods.”
A statement from Euro Garages says: “Euro Garages are committed to expanding their presence in Scotland and this site represents one of several developments that they are pursing.
“Euro Garages have an innovative approach to roadside retail and fuel services. They have forged successful relationships with high profiled national and globally recognised brands.
“The development will transform this currently vacant overgrown site and positively contribute to the aesthetic and visual quality of this part of the A85 gateway route into Dundee City Centre.”
Mr Pepper said the community council does not have any issues with the type of businesses earmarked for the site.
But the local representative, who is Dundee’s Citizen of the Year 2022, said drive-through businesses are often bad for the environment.
He said: “Developers often claim that drive-through businesses don’t increase car use if they are on a busy road because people are passing by anyway.
“But that is demonstrably untrue. There is evidence which shows people make journeys specifically to visit these types of places.
“It’s contrary to so many different points in the council’s development plan.
“Because a similar plan has already been approved in the past however, it seems very likely it will get approved.”
