Plans for a new drive-thru Costa - open 24 hours a day, seven days a week - on a busy industrial estate in Strood are expected to be given the green light tonight.

The proposal for the Medway City Estate - close to the McDonald’s restaurant and Coop petrol station - was originally put forward two years ago but rejected.

However, a revised scheme was submitted to address concerns over pedestrian safety and vehicle access last March. It will be put before Medway Council’s planning committee when they meet on Wednesday evening. It has been recommended for approval with a string on conditions attached - mostly related to environmental concerns over drainage issues.

The scheme would see a two-storey Costa coffee shop and drive-thru with around 25 car parking spaces. In addition, the application includes a separate 10-vehicle storage unit with repair shop facilities. Believed to be for classic cars.

It will be sited on land adjoining Terrance Butler Avenue, off Anthonys Way - close to the open-all-hours McDonald’s, which also features a drive-thru.

The application has been submitted by Diljit Brar - the man behind the Goldex empire based in Southfleet, near Gravesend.

Goldex runs 34 Costa franchises across the county and is also the co-owner of the Kaspa Desserts chain, which has six outlets across Kent.

It also operates fitness centres and short-term holiday rentals.

However, the plans have faced opposition from Frindsbury Extra Parish Council which has cited concern over both environment concerns and an increase to traffic on what is already a heavily congested area.

A final decision on the application is expected this evening.