An Aberdeenshire village will soon be the new home of a drive-through coffee shop.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Garioch area committee yesterday approved plans to build a cafe, which is “likely” to be taken on by Starbucks, off the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road, in Blackburn.
The plans by South Fornet Estates Ltd for Westpark, near the Blackburn Business Park, won the unanimous support of councillors.
Last night the developer said 20 local jobs would be created at the cafe once it was built.
The proposals include both seating and a drive-through facility, a play area and car parking with space for 24 vehicles, and motorcycles and bicycles.
Speaking yesterday, director of South Fornet Estates Ltd, Neal Still, said the coffee shop would be a development for “the whole of Blackburn”.
He added: “We are pleased that they decided to approve the application. The key thing is it is going to be good for Westpark and good for Blackburn. You are talking about 20 jobs.
“There is nothing much in Blackburn. Right since the community consultation it has been positive from the residents.”
Planning officers had initially backed the proposals, despite the development being contrary to the Aberdeenshire local development plan (LDP).
The council said the applicant had responded to the issues raised at the public meeting and added a Starbucks would “improve the attractiveness of the site”.
