Plans have been drawn up for an electric vehicle (EV) charging hub, picnic area and drive-thru restaurant on a busy commuter route in North Staffordshire.
George Developments Limited is seeking planning permission from Stafford Borough Council for the development on land opposite the George and Dragon pub on the A34 Stone Road in Meaford, near Stone.
The proposal is for 31 dedicated electric charging bays, canopies with solar panels on the roof, a picnic area to allow outside seating while waiting for vehicles to charge and a 438 sq m drive-thru restaurant with inside and outside seating and 34 parking spaces.
Documents submitted with the planning application state there is a “notable shortfall” in the provision of ultra-rapid charging infrastructure along the A34 and the M6 and that nearby provisions “cannot meet the growing demand for much more efficient charging infrastructure from the growing number of EV users.”
The charging bays in the new hub would not be restricted to staff and customers, but would be made available to all motorists on the A34.
A planning statement says the proposed drive-thru restaurant would provide “abundant job opportunities and services for the local population and motorists on the nearby strategic transport network”, with an estimated 50 full and part-time jobs available.
It has not been revealed who the drive-thru would be operated by.
The planning statement reads: “The concept of this proposal is to provide EV charging infrastructure to drivers using the A34, as well as to the local communities and employers from nearby settlements or villages.
“The EV charging facilities will be supported by communal picnic areas and a drive-through restaurant, for motorists wanting to take refreshment or purchase food or meals while recharging their vehicles.
“In this way, the Hub will function much like a motorway service area, by ensuring that customers can undertake a range of functions in one location. This is especially important to support EV charging, because EV charging takes longer than filling a car with petrol. Without supporting motorists’ facilities, an EV Charging Hub cannot function effectively.”
It adds: “With the development of proposed EV charging stations along the strategic road network, more pass-by trade will be encouraged to visit local businesses and nearby settlements or villages, providing new consumers to support the local economy.”
The proposed site is situated between an eagerly-awaited Starbucks drive-thru which opened on the A34 at the end of last year and the site of the recently-demolished Darlaston Inn pub, which is set to become a petrol station.
A decision on whether to approve the planning application is expected to be made in the coming weeks.
