Mexican food chain Taco Bell could be heading to Shropshire
Welcome Break has lodged a new planning application to expand the facilities at its M54 motorway services
Shropshire could be getting its first-ever Taco Bell restaurant, under newly unveiled plans.
Welcome Break is hoping to win backing to expand its motorway service station at junction four of the M54 in Shifnal in a project which would create up to 25 new jobs.
Taco Bell is a US chain known for serving Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos and nachos; the nearest branches to the county are in Stafford and Oldbury.
A new planning application has been lodged with Shropshire Council which reveals designs for a 2,570 sq ft drive-thru and dine-in building.
The application site is currently used for coach and caravan parking so, as part of the proposals, a revised coach park would be constructed and the caravan parking relocated, adding two extra coach spaces in the process.
There would also be new landscaping and other associated works including a pedestrian link to the drive-thru, subject to securing planning consent.
The Welcome Break services, which cover 23 acres off Priorslee Road and opened in 2003, currently has a broad range of facilities including a Shell car and HGV garage with a forecourt shop, Game Zone, Starbucks, Waitrose and Burger King.
An adjoining building is home to a Days Inn hotel and there is also a charging hub for electric vehicles. None of these would be impacted by the addition of the new Taco Bell restaurant and the access roads to and from the services would remain unchanged.
In 2018, permission was granted for a new Starbucks drive-thru café but this was never built and that consent has since expired.
Documents lodged with Shropshire Council in support of the application said: "The development represents an improvement to the existing roadside facilities, offering similar to what has previously been available on this site but meeting modern requirements.
"Telford Motorway Service Area does not provide the level of provision that could reasonably be expected from a modern facility in the extensive experience of the applicant.
"While the amenity building accommodates a range of food and beverage outlets, motorists are required to park and access these on foot. There are currently no drive-thru facilities of the type proposed which would provide motorists with convenient, quick access to refreshments.
"Welcome Break Services is committed to a significant investment to improve the existing operation at the site subject to receipt of a satisfactory planning permission. The proposed development will also generate approximately 20 to 25 new jobs.
"The economic benefits arising from the proposals comprise a material consideration in the determination of the application.
"The proposed development will improve customer choice for motorists using the M54 and A464, it will generate additional jobs, contribute to economic growth and it will demonstrate investor confidence within the wider area.
"[It] aims to bring jobs, amenity and access which will represent a positive contribution to the local area. The proposed building represents a high quality, modern clean aesthetic.
"On balance we consider that the development would not give rise to any unacceptable consequences for the environment, community or other public interest and will contribute positively to existing motorway site."
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