The appeal site lay on the edge of the district centre. The appellant argued that an area allocated for Class A1-A5 uses on a large car park controlled by Asda was not available. However, an inspector noted that no information confirming it was not available had been submitted. Putting the drive-through on the allocated site would enhance its vitality, he decided, and on this basis the sequential test was not met.
Additionally, the scheme would harm amenity grassland and semi-mature trees, diminishing their contribution to the character of the area. A proposed pedestrian link would not provide an acceptable degree of connectivity with the centre and no biodiversity enhancements would be secured.
Inspector: Mazer Aqbal; Written representations
