PLANS for a KFC and a new Costa in the centre of town have hit another stumbling block after the highways authority requested that the application be deferred.

An application was submitted to Stroud District Council in February last year for permission to build a KFC, a Costa cafe and five apartments at the former Cotswold Indoor Bowls Club building near McDonald's in Merrywalks.

Concerns about the plans were raised in the aftermath of the application by councillors and business owners, with traffic issues being prevalent amongst them.

Now the highways authority has this week submitted a document requesting for the application to be deferred until a further assessment is undertaken which takes into account these concerns. 

The document submitted by GCC highways read: “The previous response submitted by the us in May 2023 assessed this application on its own merits.

“However, in light of concerns raised by Stroud Town Council in their letter dated October 31 2023, which focused in particular on continued traffic congestion along Merrywalks and the entry/exit to the existing McDonald's where this site will gain access, we would like to understand the overall cumulative impacts of movements into and out of this access and in general traffic congestion experienced along Merrywalks before reaching a final decision on this application.

“Due to the nature of the existing site and the fact that it has not been in operation for some time, this application will inevitably result in an intensification of use of the site access off Merrywalks.

“Therefore, we request that the applicant provides a full cumulative assessment of the impact of all known development proposals in the area. 

“It is true that each application is assessed on its own merits, but we have to consider cumulative impacts particularly in traffic sensitive areas and it is considered this is a location where it is a necessity.

“We therefore submit a response of deferral until the required information has been provided and considered.”

Tony Davey, chair of Stroud Chamber of Trade, said: “The planning journey for this application certainly does seem to be dragging on, but I do believe a survey needs to be carried out that will consider if the addition of no-right-turn on Merrywalks will improve an already congested road, or if there is a better solution.

“This move seems to put the onus on the applicant to carry this out, which will likely ensure it gets done.

"It is in everyone’s interest that the current, and increase in, traffic on this road is managed to the best possible option.

“I hope this latest move does not jeopardise the redevelopment of a building that has stood empty and rapidly deteriorating for so many years.

"It would also be a positive move if this was a springboard for highways to carry out their own study on how the Merrywalks roundabout and crossings could be improved for all road users and make the bypass more appealing to use when traffic does not need to pass through the town."

At least 30 jobs are expected to be created, with 16 full-time and 14 part-time positions at KFC.

There are also plans for 28 new parking spaces - three would be disabled bays and five would be reserved for tenants.

KFC and Costa have both been approached for comment.

See the plans at tinyurl.com/y6fpf3ft