Worthing Petrol Station Drive-Thru Restaurant Approved Despite Local Concerns

Plans to build a new drive-thru restaurant at a petrol station on one of Worthing’s busiest roads have been approved, despite opposition from local residents and politicians.

The Motor Fuel Group received approval from Worthing Borough Council to construct the restaurant at the Brooklands service station along the A259, Brighton Road.

Residents have raised fears that the addition of the drive-thru will lead to increased traffic congestion on an already busy road.

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, expressed significant concerns about the potential traffic impact, stating that the A259 is the second busiest road in Worthing, after the A27.

Despite these concerns, the council has moved forward with the approval, stipulating that no development can commence until full details regarding the extraction and disposal of cooking odours are approved by the local authority.

The development plan includes extending the current sales building, adding a new ‘food-to-go’ service, replacing the car wash with two jet washes and a relocated car care bay, reconfiguring parking, and adding a new bin store.

JMS Planning and Development argued that these changes will enhance the site’s offerings and adaptability in uncertain times. A noise report was submitted with the application, which deemed the project acceptable in terms of noise impact.