CIVIC chiefs are studying proposals to create almost 30 jobs by building a drive-thru Starbucks in a Hampshire town.

New Forest District Council (NFDC) has received an application to transform a car park on the South Hampshire Industrial Park - also known as the Calmore Industrial Estate.

The application has been submitted by Brunel Road Developments Ltd on behalf of Dandara (Southern) Ltd.

If planning permission is granted, a single-storey coffee shop will be built next to Roman House at the junction of Brunel Road and Eddystone Road.

The applicants say the proposed development will create 15 full-time and 13 part-time jobs.

A design and access statement which forms part of the application says: "The (proposed) development comprises a modern, freestanding Starbucks coffee shop with internal and external customer seating as well as a drive-thru facility.

"The coffee shop will offer customers a choice of sitting in the building or taking away - either from the counter or from the drive-thru lane."

A planning statement adds: "The building will be located in an under-used car park associated with Roman House.

"The design will provide a new, modern building which will integrate well into the surrounding area as the proposed development is a commercial use. The coffee shop reflects the Starbucks style which can be seen all over the UK.

"The nearest residential building is approximately 75m to the south of the application site.

"The proposed development will not result in any overlooking, shading, noise or light pollution. It will not have a detrimental impact on the character or amenity of the surrounding area."

The coffee shop, which will have 15 parking spaces, will be open from 5am until 11pm.

NFDC has already given its initial assessment of the scheme.

It says: “There is a need to demonstrate that the site is well located in relation to unsatisfied local demand from employees of the industrial park and passing trade.

“The site is well separated from the nearest residential properties to the west so the impact on people living locally may not be significant.”

News of the application comes just days after NFDC rejected a controversial application to open a 24-hour Burger King drive-thru at the Esso garage in Ringwood Road, Totton.

Objectors said the scheme would create extra traffic problems in the town as well as contributing to the problem of childhood obesity.