PLANS to bring a Burger King drive-to-go pod to Liskeard are heading for a planning committee showdown after county councillor Kevin Grey called in the application amid concerns shared by Liskeard Town Council.

The proposal, for a new food outlet at the Morrisons petrol station on Plymouth Road, has been recommended for approval by Cornwall Council planning officers.

However, both Cllr Grey and the town council have raised concerns about the potential impact on traffic and the vitality of Liskeard town centre, setting up a debate between local opposition and the planning officers’ assessment.

Liskeard Town Council has objected under Policy TC1B of the Liskeard Neighbourhood Development Plan, warning that the development could draw trade away from the town centre, contribute to further shop vacancies and generate additional car journeys.

Cllr Grey called the application in on the grounds of highway impacts and the potential effect on the town centre’s vitality and viability.

But planning officers argue that the evidence does not justify refusing the scheme.

The proposed 93-square-metre outlet would occupy part of the existing Morrisons petrol station forecourt, replacing the jet wash bay and requiring changes to existing fuel infrastructure. The plans include eight parking spaces, a delivery bay and cycle parking.

A transport assessment forecasts six two-way vehicle movements during the morning peak and 10 during the evening peak. Cornwall Council’s highways officers consider the additional traffic negligible, noting that many customers would already be visiting the petrol station or supermarket.

The application’s retail assessment forecasts Burger King turnover of around £15,000 a week - approximately £780,000 a year. Combined with a previously permitted Greggs food-to-go outlet, the assessment forecasts turnover of £1.14 million in 2025, rising to £1.15 million by 2030.

The report argues that forecast growth in spending in Liskeard would accommodate the additional trade. Even assuming all the outlets’ turnover came from the town centre, the estimated impact would be 10.5 per cent — a level the assessment does not consider significantly adverse.

However, the town council has strongly challenged the proposed development, with councillors discussing the plans again earlier this month and resolving to maintain their objection.

They asked Cllr Grey to call in the application rather than allow it to be decided by officers under delegated powers.

Traffic arrangements were a particular concern, with councillors warning that the entrance to the Morrisons site already becomes congested at busy times – particularly the summer months – as motorists compete for access to the supermarket and petrol station.

They fear adding a Burger King will heap further pressure on the access road, raising the risk of queues and conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians.

Councillors described the proposed traffic arrangements as “ludicrous” and warned they could create a “serious hazard”. They also questioned whether the site was becoming over-developed.

Their concerns come against a backdrop of pressure on the high street. Liskeard has 163 occupied town-centre units, while vacant floorspace has increased by 1,508 square metres since 2023.

Planning officers conclude that the proposal would not cause significant harm to the town centre’s vitality and viability and recommend approval, subject to conditions covering matters including noise, odour and further investigation of possible land contamination.

The application will be considered by Cornwall Council’s East Sub-Area Planning Committee on Monday, October 26.