Plans for third Costa Coffee at Meole Brace Retail Park

Plans for the new Costa at Meole Brace Retail Park will go before planning bosses next week, with a recommendation from a Shropshire Council officer for it to be approved.

There is already a Costa next to the Card Factory in the corner of the retail park, as well as one inside the Next store.

The new 205sq m Costa would be built between McDonald's and Pizza Hut if it is approved. Costa Coffee has not responded to a request to comment to confirm whether it will be keeping the existing two shops open.

There would be 23 car parking spaces at the drive-through, including two disabled spaces.

Latest plans

The news comes after controversial plans for a new Sports Direct building were approved in February.

The bargain sports shop is moving from its current position in between Argos and Next to a new 2,787sq m building between TK Maxx and Argos.

Objections were voiced from residents and business owners about the increase in traffic, access not being sufficient for existing units, traffic queues to get in and out, and existing car park and estate roads being in poor condition.

Three new retail units have been built on the northern end of the site in recent years and are currently occupied by Costa, Card Factory, and Carphone Warehouse.

A Marks & Spencer food hall was also built on the western side.

A report by planning officer Shannon Franklin says: "It is therefore considered that Meole Brace Retail park and the facilities it offers has expanded significantly during the development plan period.

"The proposed development site, situated between McDonald's and Pizza Hut, remains one of the last viable options for expansion of site due space constraints and the highways arrangements."

The application will go before Shropshire Council's central planning committee on Thursday.