Issue - meetings

Demolition of the existing building and construction of a new food store, petrol filling station, commercial unit, together with associated car parking, servicing and landscaping.

It was RESOLVED: That, subject to the applicant first entering into a Section 106 agreement, the application 22/00245/FPM be GRANTED planning permission subject to no intervention from the Secretary of State the conditions and reasons set out in the report.

The Committee considered a report in respect of application 22/00245/FPM seeking the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new food store, petrol filling station, commercial unit, together with associated car parking, servicing, and landscaping.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation which included the photos of the site plan, the surrounding area and CGI imaging of the proposed development. The application was located within the Pin Green industrial estate which was the second largest employment area in Stevenage. It was a low-density area with small/medium sized industrial buildings and some offices. The land was square and surrounded by industrial units and a residential area to the south.

The current plot contains a 2-storey office building and a warehouse which were deteriorated, outdated, and were insufficient and unsuitable to the previous business who had relocated elsewhere leaving the site vacant. The application proposes the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of:

·         A Morrisons food store with an in-store café, Home Delivery and Click and Collect.

·         A small Garden Centre,

·         A six-pump petrol filling station and kiosk,

·         A Commercial Unit,

·         A car park with 243 spaces, including 14 disabled, 14 parent and child, and 4 electric charging spaces

·         Vehicular access to the car park via Wedgewood Way

·         A dedicated service road within the application side allowing access to the delivery yard

The food store was cladded in light grey to reduce the mass impact and dark grey cladding to show a clear entrance. This was consistent with other retail buildings. The petrol station would be in the Morrisons dark green.

The application included offsite highway improvements in line with a Section 278 agreement with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) Highway Authority, which comprised of:

·         A 3m shared footway/cycleway leading from the vehicular access down to Martins Way to meet the existing cycle path

·         A tactile crossing point to site access junctions, which would link with the existing pedestrian link to the residential area at Wedgewood Road/Cartwright Road

·         Improvements to the existing bus stop on Cartwright road which incorporated raised accessibility kerbs and a shelter

The Chair invited Ed Kemsley of Peacock and Smith, a supporter, to address the Committee.

Mr Kemsley stated he had correspondence with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) to ensure this application was acceptable. It was in his opinion that the application would not harm the economic prosperity of Stevenage as it had clear and significant economic benefits. This included the provision of 190 jobs and an estimated increase in local spend of £475,000 per year, as well as 240 construction jobs. He informed Members this new store supported an area of Stevenage that only had a small convenience store, creating more sustainable shopping patterns and was supported by local residents. He highlighted the concerns raised by Tesco which had been considered by retail consultants, two senior barristers and SBC Officers. He also highlighted Cycling UK who had objections prior to discussions with HCC Highways Authority and the provision of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5