Plans for a new 24-hour KFC drive-thru restaurant have been formally submitted for a site directly opposite West Bromwich Albion's home ground, The Hawthorns. The proposal marks a significant shift, as it would replace previously approved plans for a Tim Hortons coffee shop on the same plot.
From Coffee to Chicken: A Change of Plans
The application, lodged with Sandwell Council by fast-food giant KFC, seeks permission to construct a drive-thru restaurant and associated facilities on the corner of Birmingham Road and Park Lane in West Bromwich. The site is a stone's throw from the Championship club's stadium and has stood vacant since former office blocks were demolished in 2023.
This move comes after the council granted planning permission in 2022 for a Tim Hortons drive-thru on the identical plot. Those plans were never acted upon, leaving the land empty. KFC's new proposal indicates it will follow a similar size and layout to the design approved over three years ago, suggesting a straightforward swap of tenant for the developed site.
Details of the Proposed Development
The planning documents reveal specifics about the proposed development. Key features include:
- 24-hour operation for the drive-thru facility.
- A 19-space car park with designated electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
- Provision for outdoor seating areas.
- The creation of an estimated 30 full and part-time jobs.
The site's previous office buildings had been empty since 2019 before their demolition, which was carried out as part of the initial Tim Hortons scheme.
Economic Benefits and Planning Justification
In a statement prepared by property consultancy Savills on behalf of KFC, the applicant argues the new drive-thru represents a significant investment with multiple positive economic effects. The statement notes that the principle of developing the land for a food and beverage outlet was already established by the earlier permission.
"The proposal would see the currently vacant land brought into a complementary use to those in the surrounding Birmingham Road, which represents a mixed commercial area," the statement reads. It further contends that the plans are consistent with current local policy and are of an appropriate nature and scale for the location.
The fate of the proposal now rests with Sandwell Council's planning department, which will assess the application against local development rules and consider any community feedback. If approved, the development would bring a prominent national brand to a key route near a major local sporting landmark, reactivating a long-dormant plot of land.
