COFFEE giant Costa has been urged to halt its plans for a drive-thru until the full impact of a new, neighbouring Aldi superstore is known.

Plans were submitted earlier this month for a proposed new coffee outlet at the Headington Retail Park at Horspath Driftway which would see 40 existing parking bays removed.

Local residents blasted the proposal, however, when they were first revealed and warned of significant disruption to motorists with cars spilling out of the centre.

Now, residents are calling for the company to wait until the looming Aldi superstore being built at the retail park is up and running.

Dene Road resident Alan Hewitt said: “I have no objection to this application. However, I would suggest that approval should be delayed until the impact of the new Aldi store is fully understood.

“Especially with regards to volume of traffic entering and leaving this retail park at peak times.”

Headington councillor Roz Smith said: “I am not convinced that there will be no effect on the highway network.

“Yes I am sure a high proportion of customers will be from those already on the site for Homebase and Carpet Right, but a popular Aldi store is currently being built and the trip figures for this are not included or considered in the transport statement.

“The new store could potentially double the number of vehicles entering and exiting onto Horspath Driftway, both towards Headington and the Eastern Bypass."

Lye Valley councillor Pat Kennedy said: “Clearly Aldi will have a large impact and I would have thought to have a drive thru coffee place as well that will add even more of an impact.

“I am worried about the traffic implications that something like a coffee shop will have because it will have a very frequent turnaround.

“It is a very busy junction, it is used by the fire station and it is a route to the hospital so it is a concern certainly.”

Although the Costa application is yet to be decided work on the new Aldi supermarket is now well underway with an opening date scheduled for early next year.

The supermarket replaces the former Currys shop after planning permission was first granted in March.

Arguing its case for the new build Costa said in its application documentation: "A design of the highest quality has been produced [...] the submitted design we believe is modern, of its time, and uses an appropriate palette of materials for its location in Oxford.

"The proposal will satisfy a proven demand in the area, where there is a lack of similar local amenities, providing a high quality, well known and respected brand, in a most sustainable location."

Costa was contacted for comment.