Approval Granted for New Drive-Through Unit in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT)

Plans for a new drive-through on an industrial estate in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) have been approved.
The application for the drive-through unit in the car park of the KFC restaurant and drive-through on Treforest Industrial Estate went before the council’s planning committee on Thursday, April 25, and got the go ahead.
The plan covers land which forms part of the car park at the KFC on Heol-y-Pwll.
The application is an outline one with all matters other than access being reserved for future consideration.
A  site layout plan has been submitted which suggests the proposed unit would be accessed off Heol-y-Pwll via the access to the existing KFC unit.
Details submitted with the application also suggest that the unit would have a floor area of up to 160sqm.
No details of opening hours or staffing numbers have been provided at this stage.
The planning report said the surrounding area is characterised by a number of commercial and educational units with a cinema, bowling alley, and various food establishments, as well as Coleg Cymoedd Nantgarw.
Rhyd-yr-Helyg, a residential cul-de-sac, is about 100m to the south-west.
One letter of objection said an additional drive-through on the KFC site reduces the number of parking spaces and the development would have a larger draw having two operators.
They said if the car park on the KFC site becomes full, the adjacent Makro site will then be use as an overflow which would not be permitted and claimed the development will result in additional littering.
In recommending approval, officers said in their report: “The proposed development would provide an additional food and drink drive-thru establishment (use Class A3) within a part of Treforest Industrial Estate
which is already characterised by a series of leisure and food and drink uses.
“The development would be positioned within the curtilage of the existing KFC
premises where its wider visual impact would be minimal and could be  accessed without causing harm to highway safety.
“Furthermore, with the nearest residential properties being situated approximately 100m away, the development would have a limited impact upon
the amenity and privacy of the nearest residents.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​