Work has finally started on a new Burger King drive-thru in Cheltenham - two years after approval.

A plot of land next to Food Warehouse in Gallagher Retail Park is to be transformed into a fast food restaurant with outdoor seating and parking.

The Crown Estate was granted permission in March 2022 for the development but the land has sat idle until this summer.

The development site includes an enclosed, external courtyard area and vacant hardstanding and a section of the retail centre car park.

Once complete the Burger King is expected to open seven days a week, between 10am and 11pm and create around 30 full time jobs.

Work to clear it and start laying the groundwork was finally completed in June and the developers applied to the council for a Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use or Development (CLEUD). It confirms that work has begun on the development within the required legal timeframe.

A letter by Lee McLoughlin, contracts manager, stated excavation works had taken place and work on the drive-through lane, including the installation of a membrane, 600mm capping and 150mm sub-base had been completed.

Cheltenham Borough Council approved the application on Tuesday (Aug 27).

A report by planning officers concluded: "Given the limited extent and nature of the ground works carried out in June 2024, the relevant works are considered to be on the borderline of constituting the commencement of development.

"However, the works are not considered to be de minimis and are relevant to the permission granted and are sufficient to conclude that development has begun."