PLANS for a new drive-thru restaurant and up to 25 homes in Brynmawr could be given the green light next week.

An outline planning application to build a three-storey block of 20 flats and five two-bedroom houses on a vacant site east of Blaina Road in Brynmawr has been recommended for approval at a meeting next Thursday, November 8.

A drive-thru restaurant, previously planned as a McDonald’s but now thought to be a Costa Coffee, would also be built as part of the development.

A petition signed by 127 people has been lodged against the plans, stating the proposal for a drive-thru does not accord with the council’s Local Development Plan as it only allows for housing.

But a report prepared ahead of next week’s meeting says this objection could be outweighed by the economic benefits of the scheme.

It is claimed the drive-thru will bring £500,000 of investment to the Brynmawr area, while the proposal will also create 18 skilled and non-skilled jobs.

Objectors also say there are already more than enough takeaways in Brynmawr and that “another fast food outlet so close to a primary school is totally inappropriate.”

They say the development could increase obesity levels.

Concerns have also been raised that small independent cafes and food business will not be able to compete with prices.

Outlining objectors concerns, the report adds: “The housing is predominantly one-bedroom apartments, not family homes.

“Whilst it is acknowledged that there might be a need for single person housing, accommodation provided by social housing often becomes home to individuals with complex needs and vulnerabilities.

“The safeguarding and wellbeing of the pupils at Blaenycwm is of paramount importance and the siting of such a development so close to a primary school causes grave concern.”

But the report notes that the “long-standing vacant” site has had little interest and may not be developed “in the foreseeable future” if permission is refused.

It adds: “It is alleged that there is currently an operator waiting to occupy the site for use as a drive-thru, if the LPA waits until there is a potential change in the allocation of the LDP an opportunity to see the site developed for the good of the area could be lost.”

If approved, a condition should be included restricting the gross internal area of the restaurant to 167sqm, it says.

Recommending approval, the report says it is a “finely balanced case.”

It adds: “I have reached the conclusion that the benefits associated with the scheme that itself broadly complies with policy outweigh a slavish adherence to a policy that requires only housing for the site.

“I fully accept that another officer could present a case for refusal justified in planning policy and probably defendable at appeal.”