Plans approved for new drive-thru Siesta Coffee at former Barclays bank in Peterlee

Proposals were lodged with Durham County Council for a building in the North West Industrial Estate.

The site, near the roundabout linking Cook Way and Shotton Road, was the former home of Barclays Bank.

Coffee chain, Siesta Coffee, aimed to reopen the site as a coffee shop primarily serving workers from industrial estates in the area.

Plans included internal changes to the former bank building, new signs and a new car park.

According to planning documents, three full-time and three part-time jobs are also expected to be created.

During consultation, changes were made to the scheme following requests from council highways officers.

This included alterations to the pedestrian access, removing a section of barrier at the north eastern corner and a dropped kerb at the site entrance.

Durham County Council planners later approved the plans on Thursday, May 7.

A report outlines the reasons for the decision.

It reads: “The applicant has provided sufficient information in the form of a detailed sequential test to demonstrate that there are no available and suitable sites for their business in more central locations.

“There is a bus stop close to the site that provides access to Peterleetown centre and the sequential test is considered to be passed.

“Information has been submitted that shows the premises has been vacant for over 12 months which is considered sufficient to demonstrate that there is a low likelihood of the unit coming forward for an industrial use.”

The report goes on to say: “Furthermore, [the building’s] last known use was as a bank, so the proposal does not result in the loss of a unit that has recently been used for an industrial use and a cafe is considered to be ancillary to the wider employment use of the estate, so the employment strategy for the estate will not be harmed.”

Siesta Coffee already runs a drive-thru branch in Aycliffe Business Park offering a range of beverages, cakes, ice cream and sandwiches.

Under planning conditions, plans for the Peterlee site must be brought forward within the next three years.

Approved opening hours include 6am-5pm, Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm on Saturdays and 8am-4pm on Sundays.

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