THE second phase of a major redevelopment project in Eccleshill will include a drive-thru Burger King.

In 2017 an application to redevelop the Union Mills site on Harrogate Road was approved by Bradford Council.

The new development would include a Lidl store and six other retail units.

Phase 1 of the scheme, by Opus North, included the supermarket, a Starbucks cafe and another unit, operating as a martial arts centre.

Now the developer has submitted plans for Phase 2 of the huge site.

The drive-thru Burger King will be located at the front of the site - facing onto Harrogate Road. Behind the fast food giant will be two large commercial buildings, which could be industrial or distribution units, depending on which businesses take on the units.

There will also be 64 car parking spaces on the site, 30 for the drive thru restaurant and 34 spaces for the trade counter units.

This application, submitted shortly before Christmas, is different from the original plans for Phase 2 of the site. The approved scheme was for five shops on the site, rather than a drive-thru and commercial units.

The planning application says: "Due to economic changes in the retail market and requirements, the extant retail units are no longer attractive to the market, this application seeks an alternative mix of development on the site to bring forward additional investment and complete the redevelopment of the Union Mills site.

"The development of the site will bring the site into beneficial use and provide up to 100 new employment opportunities in the area.

"Development of the site represents inward investment in Bradford and investor confidence in the city."

The application acknowledges that the drive-thru would be within 400 metres of St Luke's Primary School - potentially falling foul of Coucnil planning policies that prevent take aways from opening near schools.

The policy was introduced to prevent childhood obesity.

Referring to this policy the application adds: "Burger King UK aim to enable customers to make informed choices about their diet through clear and straightforward nutrition and allergen labelling. In addition BKUK have adopted Public Health England’s targets on salt and sugar reducing to help with menu development."

It goes on to say the drive-thru will operate mainly as a restaurant, rather than a take away.

The original application to develop the site had proved controversial. As part of the proposals popular fishing pond Pilley’s Dam was to be filled in.

A decision on the application is expected in March.