WINSFORD could soon be getting its own KFC and Starbucks drive-thru restaurants.

An application has been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council to transform vacant land off Nat Lane, near the Wharton Retail Park.

KFC had targeted the town as a potential site for a new restaurant back in 2019 and now plans have moved one step closer.

Outline planning permission is also being sought for a third 'drive-to' restaurant at the site, however an occupant is yet to be confirmed.

A planning statement, prepared by Pegasus Group on behalf of applicants Carlton Holdings, says: "The proposed site is located immediately to the east of Wharton Retail Park.

"It will provide for two drive-thru units to be occupied by a KFC and a Starbucks.

"The site comprises of an area of previously developed land formerly used as the base for a car sales/car repossessions business.

"Two of the restaurant units will have drive-thru facilities with the third outline unit

being a 'drive-to' facility."

According to the planning statement, 59 car parking spaces would be provided including four disabled parking spaces and six electric charging bays.

Access to the site would be from Nat Lane and, due to the layout of the proposal, queues for the drive-thru will not affect the public highway.

The planning statement added: "In regard to the drive-thru lanes, these have been sited to provide the maximum queue length available within the confines of the site.

"Each restaurant could accommodate a minimum of eight/nine vehicles in a queue.

"In addition, the orientation of the restaurant within the site means that any additional queuing would take place within the internal access roads and would not affect the public highway."

The proposal anticipates 60 new jobs will be created at the two restaurants, along with 'significant investment in the local area'.

The planning statement added: "This is a positive benefit of the proposed development and contributes significantly towards the economic and social objectives of sustainable development.

"The reuse of a brownfield site and additional landscape proposals will contribute towards the environmental objective of sustainable development."

The deadline to comment on these plans is December 3.

To view or comment on the application, search 21/04216/OUT on the council's online planning portal.