A COFFEE drive-through is set to replace a former Southampton car factory.

Plans have been approved to breathe a new lease of life into the derelict Ford factory on Wide Lane near Swaythling.

The development will see the construction of two "flexible employment spaces" and a coffee shop with a drive-through as well as additional parking and landscaping on the plot of land opposite the Orion Industrial Estate.

A further 50 parking spaces will also be created in the area.

There are currently no details on which business will by occupying the coffee drive-through.

One resident objected to the plans due to fears that the development left "no space" for local people to enjoy the area.

In an anonymous letter to the council, they said: "Considering this is next to a residential neighbourhood, there is no space for local patrons to enjoy the outdoor space at the coffee shop.

"It's all very much 'get in, buy coffee, go away'. Perhaps suggest the drive-through is replaced by a terrace?

"We are in a climate crisis and battling congestion.

"We should not be approving any drive-throughs at all, and certainly not for purposes where the car itself is not needed (unlike a gas station, where leaving the car aside makes filling its tank rather impossible).

"Drive-throughs encourage needless driving (at least park your car and walk to the counter), encourage idling (illegal), and increase the risk of congestion and jams due to lines stretching out on public highways.

"This in turn will increase the risk of drivers performing dangerous moves while trying to pass the congestion on a road that is not wide enough."

The council has approved the plans but has asked that a construction management plan be submitted before any development works begin.

Developers have been told that all work for demolition, clearance and construction must take place between 8am and 6pm on Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday.

No work should be carried out on Sundays.