PLANS rejected by Colchester Council to bring Burger King to Stane Park could be revived after the developer launched an appeal. 

It was revealed in 2023 that global restaurant chain Burger King were interested in the site.

The plans included a drive-thru at the site, which were rejected for the site that has been unoccupied since 2018.

Plot - The Stane Park area already has many businesses operating herePlot - The Stane Park area already has many businesses operating there (Image: Credited)

As part of the plans to redevelop the site, the building would have had to be knocked down and rebuilt.

The council ruled that the new restaurant would be “car dominant” and would “not safeguard” pedestrian access to Stane Park.

The decision notice said: “The proposed development being a drive-thru restaurant, with associated infrastructure, results in a car dominant scheme with the drive-thru infrastructure being particularly prominent from public vantage points.

Planned - This was the proposed building that would be turned into a Burger KingPlanned - This was the proposed building that would be turned into a Burger King (Image: Credited)

“The nature of the development as a drive-thru restaurant does not reduce the need to travel, nor does it enhance accessibility for sustainable modes of transport.

“The introduction of a drive-through lane alongside the existing play park would result in a cramped area of public space, as well as introduce conflict between users of the park and vehicles.

In the rebuttal against the council’s previous claims, the appellant has said: “ The first reason for refusal relates to sustainable transport, however it is demonstrated in the appeal statement that the appeal site is in an accessible location and located within a wider leisure park and in proximity to Tollgate Shopping Centre and Stane Retail Park which encourages linked trips.

“Therefore, it is considered that the locations of Tollgate Village and Colchester Gateway are comparable to Stane Leisure Park in terms of sustainable transport and are suitable precedents for drive-thru development.

“In relation to the perception of car dominance, both the proposed building and drive-thru lane broadly fits into the footprint of the existing building and therefore the drive-thru lane will not encroach into the landscaping area to the east of the building and will not be further visible in views to the appeal site.”

An inspector will rule on the plans.