A York drive-thru’s 9m-high sign has been refused planning permission after being installed.
City of York Council planning officers have turned down a retrospective planning application for the illuminated totem sign bearing the coffee chain’s logo at its Stockton-on-the-Forest site, in the A64 Malton Road.
The drive-thru operates from the former Four Alls Inn pub and plans to convert it into a Starbucks were approved last year.
Officials stated the sign, at 29.5ft, was too large and dominant and when lit up would be seen in the rural area close to important nature conservation sites in the green belt.
Starbucks’ application lodged in February sought to regularise the sign which stands by the A64 outside the building.
Planning officers stated the drive-thru’s proximity to the Kingsmoor Plantation and Sandmoor Wood meant it would be subject to stricter lighting rules.
They stated: “The illuminated totem sign appears visually out of keeping with the character of the area, by virtue of its scale and prominent position to the front of the building.
“Due to the existing advertisements to the building, the proposed totem sign is unnecessary and considered to contribute unnecessary clutter to the area, particularly given its excessive height and illumination.”
No objections were lodged from the public or other authorities against the plans.
Starbucks can appeal the council’s decision and has eight weeks to do so if it decides to challenge it.
If not, it will have to remove the sign.
