PLANS for a new Costa coffee shop with drive-thru facility at a Guiseley retail park have been submitted to Leeds City Council.

The plans, for Westside Retail Park, propose the “erection of coffee shop with drive thru facility with associated servicing, landscaping and external seating; part reconfiguration of existing car park; and associated works”.

The retail park is made up of 13 units with current occupiers including including TK Maxx, Next, Sports Direct, HomeSense, and McDonald’s.

A planning and retail assessment submitted to support the application from Costa says the proposals are part of a long-identified investment need by the owner to improve the customer experience at the retail park.

Contracts have been exchanged with Costa Coffee, with the deal conditional to planning being approved.

The application says: "The proposed development will result in the redevelopment of an underused parcel of land within the car park of an established retail destination, delivering sustainable economic development."

The application adds: "The proposed unit is single storey and extends to 167 square metres (gross internal area). It is to operate as a coffee shop with a drive thru facility, along with internal and external seating and associated servicing.

"The building will be situated within the existing car park on the north/north-eastern boundary of the retail park. The drive thru facility is opposite the main terrace, and is single storey in height, making it entirely subordinate to the parent buildings on the Application Site.

"There is a traditional drive thru arrangement with a dedicated lane taking vehicles to the serving kiosk, passing menu boards and the drivers’ order point. At the end of the drive thru lane, one waiting bay is provided for customers waiting to receive hand delivered orders.

"The service entrance, refuse storage and plant will be located to the north of the building and away from the entrance, shielded by a secure timber fence.

"To accommodate the proposed development, a reconfiguration of the existing car park is required. To minimise the number of car parking spaces lost, some 11 trees will be removed although replacement planting in provided with 21 new trees proposed within the existing landscaped bank. Overall, the proposal will result in a net loss of 5 parking spaces.

"Access to the site will remain off Ghyll Royd/ Leeds Road Junction. Deliveries and refuse collection will also utilise this access."

The proposed opening hours are 5am to midnight Monday to Sunday. If approved the plan would create 11 full time jobs.