Developer asks planners to reconsider drive-thru Costa Coffee spot at Turner's Cross

MSL Group said there was 'substantial precedent' of similar drive-thru coffee spots being approved in retail parks

Motor Services Limited has appealed to the planning commission for approval of its plan to build a KFC and Costa Coffee drive-thru at Turner's Cross in Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

A developer who was refused permission to build KFC and Costa Coffee outlets in Cork City has appealed the decision to the planning commission.

Motor Services Ltd (MSL Group) had requested permission for two single-storey units on the western section of the car park at Turner's Cross Retail Park, formerly Kinsale Road Retail Park.

After consulting with city planners, the developer dropped one of the two planned drive-thrus to ensure compatibility with the City Development Plan.

Despite the revisions, the council decided not to allow the overall scheme because the "car-orientated development" did not fit with the emerging transport plans along the Old Kinsale Road.

The refusal order noted that the proposed development would "discourage access by walking and cycling" by prioritising car movements over pedestrian access to the buildings and would not "adhere to principles of proper planning and sustainable development."

In response, MSL submitted an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála late last month, arguing that "drive-through facilities are not inherently unacceptable within established commercial environments."

Developer cites precedent 

It relied on what it claims is "substantial precedent", pointing out permissions granted for Costa Coffee drive-thrus in retail parks around Ireland.

One example offered by MSL, through its agent JSA Planning, was the commission's decision to overturn the refusal of a drive-thru café at Bray Retail Park in September 2024. In that case, the planning inspector distinguished the café from a conventional fast-food outlet, and the commission decided it would be "a minor extension of a use ancillary to the existing retail park."

The Bray drive-thru café application was one of tens secured Costa operator MBCC Foods (Ireland) Ltd around the country in recent years, in the context of growing numbers of independent coffee container businesses set up in car-dominated locations.

Considering sustainable mobility, MSL acknowledged the importance of walkability in the context of the Creamfields 609-home estate currently under construction. But it argued the drive-thru would operate in a car-dominated environment, with options to access it on foot also. It confirmed the development wouldn't prejudice plans for the BusConnects route.

It also included revised landscaping plans for the KFC unit with an enhanced direct pedestrian connection between Kinsale Road and the restaurant units.

Concluding its appeal, MSL argued that the single reason on which its application was refused was not justification enough to withhold permission for the units.