COFFEE lovers can rejoice after plans to open the first Starbucks in South Cumbria were approved.

A proposal to open a drive-thru Starbucks at Beehive Business Park in Ulverston has been given the green light.

The coffee chain will contain inside and outside seating areas, car parking, accessible spaces, toilets and a drive-thru lane.

Rawdon Property Group Ltd sought permission for opening hours of between 5am and 11pm on behalf of the coffee giant earlier this year.

The proposal includes 18 vehicle parking spaces, including two disabled spaces, and parking spaces for six bicycles.

The Starbucks will be located next to the soon-to-open drive-thru Greggs which is set to launch later this year.

Plans for the Greggs store were approved in February of this year and included 16 parking spaces.

READ MORE: South Cumbria could be set for first ever Starbucks - in Ulverston

Mark Wilson, Ulverston Town Councillor, welcomed the news.

He said: "It's another extra choice for our residents and visitors.

"Starbucks has its fans and protagonists.

"I hope it will mean more local jobs for the area too."

Michelle Scrogham, chairman of Ulverston Business Improvement District, said earlier this year that she would welcome the arrival of Starbucks at the town's Beehive Business Park but would not personally visit due to the company paying little tax.

"I think any business that takes money in a country from its residents should pay their fair share of its taxes," she said.

"They always used to be one of my favourite places.

"But, personally, I prefer to see businesses in the town centre to improve the town's offering

"If you have lots of businesses within the town centre, the more choice there is within the town centre, the more of a draw it is.

"Economically, it's better to have everything located within the middle rather than retail parks or out-of-town shops."

A transport statement submitted by DW Transportation in support of the application says the impact on traffic of the development would be 'negligible'.

"The majority of the trips generated would already be passing by the site on the A590, and many of these trips would be linked with other uses on the business park," says the statement.

"No accidents have been recorded in the vicinity of the site since the new traffic signal junction was constructed on the A590 in 2017.

"The additional turning movements at the site are not anticipated to have a significant impact on highway safety."