A proposal for a new Starbucks drive-thru on the edge of Oldham town centre has been approved.

In January, plans were submitted by Brookhouse Group Ltd to build a new branch of the famous coffe shop where a car park currently sits at Alexandra Retail Park.

Now, the application has been given the green light as the planning officer felt the new coffee shop suited the character of the area and could boost the economy of the area.

The car park that currently exists at the retail park offers 83 spaces, however that number is set to be reduced to 42 spaces, including two disabled spots, which the planning officer said would be "adequate" number of spaces for visitors to the retail park

The flat roofed, single-storey building will be roughly 17m x 10m in size and would be approximately 4m in height.

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There will also be a tower approximately 6.9m in height and the strucutre will be constructed of timber, composite metal cladding and aluminium curtain walling.

According to the planning officer, the coffee shop will be "in keeping" with the character of the area given the commercial nature of the area.

They also said the scale and design of thre strucutre, would not detract from the amenities of residents who live near the retail park.

The planning officer also said the new Starbucks will create new employment opportunities in and would attract customers to the retail park, which could help businesses and jobs already based there.

In a document submitted as part of the plans, Hydrock, a transport assessment company, said: "The pod unit is expected to generate a limited number of ‘new’ trips and would principally act as a complementary facility to the existing retail park."

The planning officer added the new coffee shop will "enhance the growth of the local economy".

Businesses currently based at Alexandra Retail Park include Matalan, Pure Gym, Home Bargains, Shoe Zone, JYSK and Iceland.

The approval of the plans comes less than a year after a proposal for another Starbucks was given the go-ahead, replacing a former Frankie and Benny's restaurant at Elk Mill Retail Park in Royton.