Former Wisbech nursery to be warehousing site with its own Starbucks coffee shop
A former nursery which is now largely 'scrub land' could be given a new lease of life as a warehousing and storage facility that also includes a drive-thru Starbucks.
Not only that it will create up to 15 full time equivalent jobs for the local community.
Carl Homerstone of London-based U A Asset Management 2 Ltd has applied for a change of use for the former Parkside Nursery site off Cromwell Road in Wisbech.
The application is supported by a number of documents including a design and access statement drawn up by Hulme Upright Architects.
It explains the applicant has had two lots of advice from Fenland planning officers before submitting the proposal for the 2.98 acre site, and therefore is anticipating a favourable outcome to the plans.
The statement says the current access to the site which adjoins New Bridge Lane and is almost opposite Tesco supermarket, is not suitable for what is being proposed for the site and so will be closed with a new entrance formed on New Bridge Lane.
Because the north side of the site is fairly level and also adjoins an existing dormer bungalow the drive-thru cafe will be located there. It will be a single storey unit and will include some sitting outside and parking for up 26 cars including disabled spaces and will serve not only those working on the site and nearby but also passing trade.
There will be two larger storage units built on the south side, these will provide self-storage and B8 warehousing (that means it can include open air storage) and will include a service yard which will be screened from Cromwell Road by retaining existing trees and the Starbucks building.
This says the statement: "Will therefore respond sensitively to the existing context and site constraints to minimise the impact on the surroundings and adjacent buildings."
And it adds the proposed layout fits with pre-application advice from Fenland planners.
The Starbucks building, says the statement will be easily identified as belonging to the coffee chain.
The statement explains: "It is proposed to introduce variety in the cladding colours to the principal elevations of the storage unit with the use of contrasting horizontal bands and blocks of contrasting vertical colours with trims, capping’s and profiles to the wall cladding."
With it adds: "The overall aim is to provide a completely new, fresh, and interesting appearance to each elevation as users approach the development on foot or in a car from the surrounding areas."
It concludes: "It is proposed that this new development will help to complete the regeneration of this vacant site on Cromwell Road and will hopefully become a popular destination for nearby residents to complement the existing facilities nearby and will provide significant new employment opportunities."
