City leaders handed petition outlining concerns over KFC drive-thru plans for Barnes service station

Sunderland City Council’s planning department received plans for the Barnes Service Station, off Durham Road, earlier this year.

Proposals from Euro Garages Ltd state the land, which is currently occupied by a petrol filling station and a Spar convenience store, would be flattened, with a KFC drive-thru restaurant built in its place.

The site would also feature an indoor seating area for customers, a one-way traffic system and parking.

Conservative Councillor Antony Mullen, at the latest Sunderland City Council meeting, submitted a petition signed by 220 residents against the proposed development.

He said the signatures had been collected from residents of Barnes, Millfield, St Michael's and other surrounding city wards, and outlined several concerns over the plans.

Speaking at the meeting, he said: "It's on the basis of the impact it would have on the traffic network, the fact it contravenes the council's policy on hot food takeaways, the litter that it would cause in the local area and the existence of takeaways already in that area.”

The Conservative group leader on the council had previously raised concerns about increased traffic and health impacts given the site's proximity to two primary schools.

Earlier in March, St Michael’s ward councillor, Michael Dixon, requested the application be ‘called-in’ to the council’s Planning and Highways (East) Committee, of which he is a member, for a decision.

This would ensure that the application is discussed fully as it is in the "public interest" he said, and city council chiefs later confirmed the request had been approved.

A planning, design and access statement, prepared for the applicant in support of the proposals, argues the development offers "an opportunity for regeneration" to benefit the area.

It said: "The application seeks to provide new, high quality development on previously developed land, in a highly sustainable location bringing with it significant social, economic and environmental benefits for the area."

Planning documents state the new development would create 50 new jobs, split between full-time and part-time roles.

The application will be heard at a future meeting of the council's Planning and Highways (East) Committee, which will be held in public.

For more on the plans, visit Sunderland City Council’s online planning portal and search reference: 22/00399/FUL

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