A “flagship” drive thru restaurant could be built on one of Bradford’s main roads if new plans are approved.
The large site on Thornton Road is already undergoing some major developments, with a new low carbon energy centre and a drive thru Starbucks under construction, and proposals for a new data centre progressing through the planning system.
Now an application for a second drive thru, which would be next to the Starbucks, has been submitted to Bradford Council by property developers Mi7 Developments.
The identity of the potential operator is not disclosed in the application, but is described as “a successful Bradford based food and restaurant business known for running fast food and casual dining outlets.”
The new restaurant would include seating for 82 diners, a first floor play area, outdoor terrace and 29 space car park.
The site, at the junction of Thornton Road and Listerhills Road, had been vacant for years until a number of recent planning applications for the site were approved.
Image: LDRS
In 2023 Bradford Council approved plans to build hundreds of flats on this and neighbouring sites, as well as a drive thru and a petrol filling station.
Later that year the site was revealed as the planned location for the new Bradford Energy Centre – a large building that would use air source heat pumps to provide low carbon energy to buildings across the city centre via underground pipes.
That would replace the flats on the site, but the drive thru would remain, and with Starbucks later revealed as the operator.
This summer an application for a large data centre next to the Energy Centre was submitted by Deep Green Technologies. A decision has yet to be made.
And now the latest application for the site reveals that the filling station plan has been scrapped in favour of a second drive thru.
The application says: “Following further viability assessments, the proposed petrol filling station unit was deemed unfeasible.
“In its place, the proposed scheme for a local chain Drive-Thru is aligned with previous approvals and aims to establish a vibrant food destination along Thornton Road, offering two distinct food and beverage options.”
The application does not disclose which specific business will be operating the drive thru, but says: “The Drive-Thru will be operated by a successful Bradford-based food and restaurant business known for running fast food and casual dining outlets from refurbished and remodelled properties.
“The company currently operates around 15 outlets and plans to expand nationally with an additional 20 to 30 new units expected to open later this year.
“This proposal is designed to celebrate their identity in a prominent Bradford location.
“The aim is to establish a flagship store that feels rooted in Bradford while resonating with a national audience.”
A decision on the application is expected later this month.
