Controversial Greggs drive-thru plan in Stockport put on hold as several concerns raised including traffic

The plan for a Greggs drive-thru in Stockport is yet to be decided after councillors questioned the impact it could have on traffic. 

The popular bakery was lined up to replace the Farmers Arms Pub in Cheadle Heath, which had become derelict and a hub for vandalism. The application submitted by Greene King Brewing and Retail Limited would see the pub, which has been vacant since March 2020, demolished and replaced with a Greggs drive-thru.

The restaurant would be open during the hours of 6am to 11pm seven days a week. Although this new venture would create 35 new jobs, planning committee members meeting in Stockport Town Hall and 64 objectors were not convinced due to the implications on health as well as the traffic. 

Coun Rosemary Barratt said: “We are encouraging people to do more walking. Is it going against the council’s plan in that respect (as it is a drive-thru). I don’t feel it is a great benefit to the local community.”

Coun Wendy Meikle added: “I don’t think Greggs supports that (healthy lifestyles policy). If this goes ahead it would have a detrimental effect on health. I am not happy to go with this and I won’t be supporting it.”

Despite this, Coun Mark Jones pointed out that the committee could not reject a proposal on these health grounds, as it is not a planning matter, but did question the analysis done on how this new site would impact on traffic. The town hall heard how the drive-thru would be accessed by Edgeley Road near to the junction where it meets Stockport Road, which already sees heavy traffic.

A study had been conducted making comparisons to another Greggs operating in Mansfield with a similar expected footfall. That study suggested only around 16 new trips through the junction at peak times. However, the concern about a possible queue tailing back onto the busy road from cars waiting for food was too great a concern for councillors.

Chair of the committee, Coun Steve Gribbon, said: “There is no way I cannot think it will not be a busy place. Especially once you get tailbacks from people wanting food. Because of that, the transport plan is an issue, I am going to make a suggestion to differ this for more info on the traffic plan.”

Coun Mark Jones suggested the idea to defer the decision until the applicant could back with a model of how this would impact on the junction. This was agreed, but there is no guaranteed date as to when this would come back to planning committee as there may not be enough time for the study to be completed before the next meeting.