Starbucks could be on the way to Irvine as plans are submitted

A Starbucks could be on the way to Irvine as new plans are lodged for a drive- thru coffee shop. 

The Motor Fuel Group want to build a new coffee shop on a vacant piece of land at the BP Girdle Toll petrol station.

And plans submitted to North Ayrshire Council reveal designs bearing a Starbucks logo for the Long Drive site. 

Nine full-time jobs will be created and the drive-thru would open from 7am to 10pm daily if given the go-ahead.

A planning supporting statement said: “The growth of the drive-thru coffee outlet market, coupled with the growth in local population and a lack of any similar offer in Irvine provides ample evidence that there is a local need for this development.”

Sixteen parking spaces are part of the proposal.

The developers insist the new coffee shop won’t damage business in Irvine town centre and is in line with the council’s local development plan.

Planning permission was refused in the past but the Motor Fuel Group hopes to get the green light now as it says previous concerns have been addressed. 

Council planners previously feared it would harm business in the town centre.

A Starbucks drive-thru in Portrack, Stockton-on-Tees. (Evening Gazette)

The statement said: “It is simply not credible to suggest that a single coffee shop of 140sq m could possibly have any impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre."

There is already a Londis on the development site.

Latest plans show the location of the coffee shop would be shifted further back  from the roundabout in response to worries over design and over development. 

Councillors sitting on the Local Review Body knocked back the bid last year. They feared the roundabout is too busy for another premises.

No decision has been made yet on this month’s attempt to gain planning permission. The council’s planning portal said council officials will make the final call.

APT Planning and Development put forward the  application on behalf of The Motor Fuel Group.

Planning documents did not state Starbucks would move in, but designs put forward to the council clearly show the American giant's logo. 

Starbucks could not be reached for comment.