New Popeyes drive-thru approved, bringing chain to Sunderland's doorstep on site next to Boldon Cineworld and Nando's

The popular American chicken restaurant chain Popeyes made its debut in the UK in 2021 and recently opened its first North East branch in the Metrocentre in Gateshead.

Under new plans approved by South Tyneside Council’s planning department this month, a new restaurant could soon open at Boldon Leisure Park.

The plans, submitted last year, aimed to transform an area of “underutilised hardstanding” at the south west corner of the existing Cineworld within the wider leisure complex.

The siting of the drive-thru follows planning permission previously being granted for a restaurant at the same location, however this was never brought forward.

Floor plans confirm the Popeyes restaurant would have an outdoor seating area, an indoor customer area for around 68 covers and customer toilets.

In addition, a new vehicle access is expected to be created to serve the restaurant with a one-way system directing traffic out near the roundabout opposite the Asda Boldon petrol station.

Applicants also claimed the new proposal would provide ”significant social and economic benefits” with jobs created directly by the restaurant and during construction.

Following a council consultation exercise on the plans, two neighbour objections were received raising concerns about congestion, air pollution and increased litter.

After considering the planning application and assessing it against planning policies, South Tyneside Council’s planning department approved it on October 20, 2023.

A council decision report noted the location had “sufficient room for dedicated car parking and drive-thru facilities to support the proposed function of the development”.

It was also noted that the proposals would not “give rise to unacceptable highway safety impacts”.

Despite the council’s public health team raising concerns about impacts on obesity figures in the area, council planners said the development was acceptable.

The council decision report added: “The significance of obesity figures being in excess of 10% and public health concern regarding an ‘obesongenic’ environment are noted and acknowledged in respect of healthy lifestyles and improvements to health.

“However, in considering the nature of the proposal before the LPA (local planning authority) and the extant planning permission, which would not prevent the sale of food for consumption off the premises, this is a material consideration and must be afforded weight.

“Through the previously approved restaurant (the extant permission) the appropriateness of the use has been accepted and established.

“This proposal seeks to add a drive-thru element to the proposals, which it is argued will increase the amount of food being consumed off the premises, however, it is not considered that the proposal will vary to such a significant extent beyond that previously granted consent, to warrant the refusal of the application on this basis”.

Council planners concluded that no condition was needed around operating hours for the Popeyes drive-thru given the “trading context” of the area and the development’s “separation distance from residential properties”.

It was also noted that the planning application was not a ‘traditional’ hot food takeaway as set out in council planning policies.

In recent years, Boldon Leisure Park has welcomed a number of new businesses including Canadian restaurant chain Tim Hortons.

Another business included ‘Gourmet 4’ food hall which opened at the former Frankie and Benny’s unit, although the food hall has since closed.

Plans for a new drive-thru KFC restaurant were also recently approved for a section of the Asda car park adjacent to the Boldon Leisure Park, however no work has started on site to date.

For more information on the Popeyes planning application and council decision, visit South Tyneside Council’s planning portal website and search reference: ST/0574/22/FUL

Under planning conditions, the development must be brought forward within three years.