Godwin Gets Green Light for a Starbucks Store and Ultra-Rapid EV Charging Hub in Uttoxeter

UK property developer Godwin Developments announces it has secured detailed planning permission for a new commercial scheme comprising a Starbucks drive-thru store and six ultra-rapid EV charging points in the Staffordshire market town of Uttoxeter.

The 0.64-acre development site, which is situated just off the A518 and next to a newly opened Lidl store, benefits from a high daily passing traffic count. Uttoxeter’s main railway station, used by 165,000 people every year, is in close proximity and a population of nearly 20,000 lives within a 3-mile radius.

This highly prominent location has secured occupier commitment from Starbucks’ drive-thru franchise partner, The Magic Bean Company, who recently signed a long-term lease for the site. When built, the development will be operated by The EV Network, an independent EV charging infrastructure company, that will provide six ultra-rapid EV charge points (150kW+). The scheme will also feature 24 standard and 2 disabled parking bays as well as cycle storage and pedestrian access from the nearby food store.

Godwin Developments secured the site in November 2021.

Claudine Tracey, Associate Director, Commercial Development at Godwin Developments, said: “We are really pleased to be delivering yet another great roadside retail opportunity for international brand Starbucks through their franchise partner The Magic Bean Company. We are also thrilled to be working once again with The EV Network following on from the successful completion of our scheme in Stoke-on-Trent earlier this year.”

“This modern, purpose built development will not only provide additional choice and amenity to local residents and visitors to Uttoxeter but would also deliver the first ultra-rapid EV charging points in the area, supporting its transition to more sustainable forms of travel.”

“I would like to thank our expert in-house team and external consultants for securing both the planning permission and lease agreement for this development at pace, as well as the planners at East Staffordshire Borough Council for their support with the scheme.”

Sam Shaybani, Co-Founder and COO at The EV Network said: “We’re very excited to bring forward the first ultra-rapid EV charging station to Uttoxeter, offering the community and visitors the opportunity to charge their electric vehicles in the shortest amount of time possible.

“It has been great to work with the Godwin Developments team once again and we look forward to bringing the scheme into operation.”

Shakespeare Martineau acted for Godwin Developments on the deal and Simply Planning were the planning consultants. Godwin Developments has commercial and industrial divisions with developments in Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, Dorset and Cambridgeshire, alongside a strong UK-wide pipeline. Its commercial division develops and delivers projects for leading brands such as Lidl, McDonald’s, Burger King, Greggs, Starbucks and Costa Coffee, with sixteen units delivered to date, with a further pipeline of 31 units. At the same time the team works closely with electric vehicle charging providers, helping power the UK’s low carbon future.