iStockIt is set to be more difficult to open new drive-thrus in Glasgow after a successful campaign that saw hundreds sign a petition calling for them to be banned.
Glasgow is the drive-thru capital of Scotland, with more than Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee combined, according to the Scottish Greens.
Party co-leader Patrick Harvie said the take-out services generate more traffic and pollution in the interests of big multi-national companies.
On Tuesday, councillors at the neighbourhoods, housing and public realm city policy committee voted to pass a motion with officials told to “start working on a stronger basis for the refusal of planning applications” that would “generate additional traffic, emissions or air pollution, such as drive-through restaurants”.
It followed concern over the increase in planning applications for drive-thru restaurants despite Glasgow City Council declaring a Climate Emergency in 2019.
Councillor Christy Mearns said: “Delighted my motion today was successful, with support from [Glasgow SNP Group], meaning that Glasgow will now lead the way on advancing the case for a drive-thru ban, to back up our declaration of a climate emergency with the action needed to address it.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign, signed our petition and written to their councillors. We could not have done it without you.”
Locals in Glasgow’s Thornwood neighbourhood campaigned against a double drive-thru on a green patch between the Clydeside Expressway and the Glasgow Harbour flats.
The plans were approved and building work has since commenced on the site set to be a Starbucks and a Burger King.
“Here at Thornwood, Glasgow City Council have approved a new drive-thru, generating more traffic, generating more pollution, and all in the interests of just another big multi-national, that’s why Glasgow Greens are calling for a ban on new drive-thrus,” Harvie said when promoting the campaign.
An application for a drive-thru in Ibrox was rejected following campaigning by the community.
More than 500 people signed the Scottish Greens petition calling for a ban on all new drive-thrus.
The Scottish Conservatives said: “Nicola Sturgeon’s coalition partners have truly lost the plot.”
The majority of councillors voted for Cllr Mearns’ motion, with an amendment from leader of the Labour group Malcolm Cunning being rejected. Conservative councillor Thomas Kerr dissented.
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