New measures to restrict new drive-thrus opening in Glasgow

While the move stopped short of an outright ban on new drive-thrus, any firms thinking of building them in the city will now face greater opposition and hurdles as the council aims to tackle developments sparking more car use.

Officials have been told to “start working on a stronger basis for the refusal of planning applications” which could “generate additional traffic, emissions or air pollution, such as drive-through restaurants” according to an approved motion today.

‘No place in our society’

Green councillor Christy Mearns put forward the motion calling for the anti drive-thru policy at the council’s neighbourhoods, housing and public realm city policy committee on Tuesday.

Speaking after the meeting, she said: “I’m delighted that councillors have voted to support my motion today and have backed Green calls for quicker action to tackle new drive-thrus in Glasgow. These types of development have no place in our society anymore as we must do all we can to tackle the climate crisis and bring forward a more positive future for our people and for our planet.

“This agreement today means that we will not have to wait years for suitable policies to be in place – this work will be started urgently and Glasgow can now lead the way on this, backing up our declaration of a Climate Emergency with the action needed to tackle it.”

‘Response to the climate emergency’

SNP councillor Angus Millar seconded the Green motion but added a couple of adjustments, which were accepted.

He said: “Embedding our response to the climate emergency in our planning policy has to be a priority, and it’s clear that the council’s ongoing work to prepare for the new city development plan takes this seriously.

“But we also recognise that there is a need now for stronger planning guidance to deal with issues of traffic- and carbon-intensive developments like drive-thrus which often may not be appropriate for local communities or consistent with our climate action ambitions.”

He added: “The SNP adjustment today ensures there will be an evidence-led approach to creating robust guidance which considers all of these issues in the round, alongside the wider range of planning policies.

“It’s important that work on new guidance involves stakeholder and public consultation and ultimately gives our planning authority additional tools to both consider local circumstances and take into account the climate, air quality and congestion impacts of any planning applications for such developments.”

Amendments

Labour councillor Malcolm Cunning who put forward a rejected amendment said the “greatest issue” is where drive-thrus are located.

He pointed out there is also the problem of restaurant food being delivered by vehicles around the city.

The politician voiced concerns that “there is a danger” of council decisions being appealed.

Conservative councillor Thomas Kerr said he disagreed with a ban on drive-thrus.