A third Costa coffee could divert trade from the town's main street and affect independent merchants inDumbarton East, the council said. Chief warns.
Planners said the new café could impact the viability of local stores and the impact on sales would be felt "quickly."
However, the developer claims that if the plan is approved, "Dumbarton East's viability and vitality will remain largely unaffected."
The mayor of the West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) has issued a statement in a new document filed as part of Costa's planned appeal against the drive-thru and cafe in the Morrisons car park area on Glasgow Road.
Costa, with Dumbarton Cafe on Already High He Street and Lomondgate, was denied a permit by a city councilor last year.
However, his superiors appealed the decision to the Scottish government, and a verdict was due to be handed down last week.
Now even more behind.
The Scottish Government's Planning and Environmental Appeals Authority (DPEA) has said it will use field surveys and written submissions from stakeholders to make its decisions.
Owners of the town's independent cafes have already expressed concern that Costa could force them out of business, but Silverton and the Overtoon Community Council are working to reduce traffic in the area.
Residents filed a total of 431 objections to the original plan, which was rejected by city councilors last winter. rice field.
Both the attorneys representing Costa, Peacock and Smith and the Council are now given by Thursday (11 August) to provide additional information on the appeal.
New documents were released last week by both parties for Scottish government reporters to review.
In response to a question about the impact on local businesses, James Hall, WDC's Planning Policy Director, said: Community use critical to support local needs within the surrounding residential area and to provide complementary features to the town center across Dumbarton retail.
``As a busy and prominent thoroughfare to Dumbarton, it is close to the entrance to Dumbarton Castle and has roadside parking available, which may attract passing traders and tourists.
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"Although the Council has no supporting evidence, the proposal is likely to divert some transit trade, and perhaps established customers, from local centers, thus adversely affecting
``Given that most of these outlets are small, independent stores. , the impact on sales could be felt more sharply.”
However, responding to the same question, Peacock and Smith's Michael Powell said: drive-thru facility.
"Thus, given the nature of the existing uses that are not directly comparable to the proposed uses, the proposal is not believed to divert trade from local centres.
} "The existing cafe in the local center would offer a different offer than the proposed Costa drive-thru in that it would serve the local market with a focus on food and snacks. and existing retail applications within Dumbarton East.
"Not expected to be directly comparable to the proposed facility. It provides facilities for those who do not visit the East Local Centre.
"Thus, the viability and vitality of the Dumbarton East Local Center is expected to remain largely unaffected.
