A petition launched by Hadleigh town councillor Bill Wilson to refuse planning permission for a Starbucks near the town's bypass attracted just 56 signatures before it finished.

By comparison, a petition against siting solar panels in Flowton, which was started on 8 June, has already reached 72 signatures.

Cllr Wilson launched the petition on 5 June against the Starbucks Drive Thru due to his concerns over drainage, extra vehicles using Ellen Aldous Avenue, and how light pollution might affect bats.

He is also against an illuminated sign being erected, which he claims would be 'unattractive.' and not in keeping with Hadleigh's Neighbourhood Plan, which has been worked on since 2016, but is still not ready.

Cllr Bill Wilson against Starbucks (Picture: cntributed)

Supporters of the application, which forms part of a small retail area earmarked as part of the Weavers Meadow development, claim the inward investment to Hadleigh would bring about a number of benefits.

These include:

A predicted 20 full time jobs, or equivalent. the provision of EV vehicle charging spaces; and the provision of biodiversity enhancements, leading to a biodiversity net gain.

Starbucks site at Weavers Meadow

Nub News reveals objections to Starbucks plan...

Planning applications DC/23/01962 and DC/23/01963 can be found on the Babergh planning page here...