Plans for a new Costa drive-thru look set to be nodded through by council planners.

The national coffee chain wants to open a new branch on Laundry Road near the former Manston Airport site in Minster, next to the Premier Inn and opposite the Co-op services and McDonald's.

Despite concerns from nearby residents about the noise of the order speaker and traffic flow, developer Decimus Property Ltd, which submitted the planning application on behalf of Costa in March, claims the "majority of visitors" support the proposal.

Decimus says the cafe would be 41 metres from the nearest building and would provide a "vibrant roadside service development".

Officers at Thanet council have recommended the plan for approval and a decision will be made by the planning committee on Wednesday.

In a report by case officer Emma Fibbens to the council's planning committee, the new drive-thru and cafe is described as a "sustainable form of development".

"Whilst there is not a retail need for the development in this location, there will be very limited impact upon the countryside.

"This limited environmental harm needs to be weighed against the economic and social benefits of the coffee shop use on the edge of a village, where it is sustainably located to serve the community.

"In this instance the economic and social benefits are considered to warrant a need for the development that outweighs the impact to the countryside."

The development, if agreed by Thanet council's planning committee, will include the widening of the junction at Tothill Street and Laundry Road.

A decision is due to be made at a meeting on Wednesday.

To view the plans search reference F/TH/19/0215 at www.thanet.gov.uk/services/planning.

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