A new Taco Bell drive-thru could be opening next door to KFC on its site at Thornborough Road.

North West Leicestershire District Council has given the green light for a single storey drive-thru area with car and cycle parking.

Plans show that the new area will be located to the north of the existing KFC restaurant, partly on an area of existing car parking.

The building will occupy an internal floorspace of 180 square metres according to amended plans.

North West Leicestershire District Council has clarified that the application was for the building of a new drive-thru on the site of the KFC, in a different position to the current restaurant.

A planning and Design & Access Statement for the erection of a drive thru hot food takeaway, submitted as part of the application, says: "The application proposes the construction of a new single storey building to accommodate a hot food takeaway - potentially a Taco Bell, however this is to be confirmed.

"This would provide a valuable facility for college students, employees in the nearby commercial areas and passing trade.

"This will be in the same position as the coffee shop that was consented in early 2016.

"The building will have a gross floor area of around 180m² on one level which will provide customer seating, servery, back-of-house areas/kitchens and toilets.

"The unit will provide hot food and drinks, primarily for consumption off site.

"The exact internal layout will depend upon the final occupier of the unit, h

"The takeaway would provide the food and drink to purchase for people walking to/driving to the site and taking purchases away or people wishing to enjoy their food and drink on site.

"The proposed site would provide a total of 31 car parking spaces including three disabled spaces for the two premises.

"Vehicles wanting to use the existing KFC drive thru would continue to follow the drive thru lane around the east and south side of the building or utilise the car parking area.

"Vehicles wanting to use the new unit's drive thru would follow the drive thru lane around the west and north sides of the new building.

"The pedestrian routing from the access road pavement would be realigned as shown on the submitted drawings. Dedicated space for delivery vehicles will also be provided."

 Planning permission for the expansion was originally granted over six years ago for a single storey drive-thru coffee shop, but it was not built.

Plans submitted to the District Council show where the new drive-thru area will be situated

Now, North West Leicestershire District Council says it is considered that the previous and current application are similar, although the current proposal is of a larger footprint and with a different end user.

A council officer's report adds: "Overall the scheme represents an acceptable design that would be in keeping with the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

"The principle of the development is acceptable.

"The proposal is not considered to have any significant detrimental design, residential amenity or highway impacts.

"There are no other relevant material planning considerations that indicate planning permission should not be granted."