Friday, June 15, 2007
It's NO to TESCO !!!
HOT NEWS! The proposed Tesco store for HIGHAMS PARK (off Larkshall Rd. - former C & A site) has been REFUSED.
The long report from the Inspector (now published) following the January Planning Inquiry recommends refusal because the store would be out of keeping in the area and too large. There are also concerns about the residential development that was to be included on the site. The Secretary of State has accepted the recommendation to refuse the development.
Some key sentences from the reoprt:
"The scale of provision and size of store would be out of place, likely to cause material harm to the vitality, character and role of the centre in the local community."
On proposed housing: " "I find that the layout and likely design would fail to meet the policy requirements of achieving good quality residential developments."
"-- the retail and design objections I identify are fundamental to the unacceptability of the scheme and far outweigh the matters I find in its favour."
In the assessment from the Secretary of State on the housing aspect, she speaks of the failure "to create a building of distinctive character which would support a sense of local pride and dignity," and that the development "would also be in stark contrast to the terraced housing in the surrounding area."
The conclusions also state: " -- the Secretary of State has strong reservations about the visual impact of the proposed scheme, its relationship to the existing centre and its potential to provide a high quality of life for those living, working or otherwise using it."
There are some references to the input from local Councillor John Beanse:
"Cllr.Beanse took the opportunity to voice the varied views of his constituents." [Another place in the report refers to Cllr.Beanse representing both sides of the argument "very helpfully (and fairly)".]
"At the Inquiry the applicant failed to demonstrate circumstances of a Tesco having the effect of enhancing a local centre. The opposite is in fact a reality, as evidenced by the effect on Ponders End - - - " [this was in response to a persistent line of questioning from John Beanse].
WHAT HAPPENS NOW? Tesco could challenge the decision in the High Court; or perhaps they might be interested in making a new application, perhaps for a smaller store with a different style of housing development??
Watch this space!
The long report from the Inspector (now published) following the January Planning Inquiry recommends refusal because the store would be out of keeping in the area and too large. There are also concerns about the residential development that was to be included on the site. The Secretary of State has accepted the recommendation to refuse the development.
Some key sentences from the reoprt:
"The scale of provision and size of store would be out of place, likely to cause material harm to the vitality, character and role of the centre in the local community."
On proposed housing: " "I find that the layout and likely design would fail to meet the policy requirements of achieving good quality residential developments."
"-- the retail and design objections I identify are fundamental to the unacceptability of the scheme and far outweigh the matters I find in its favour."
In the assessment from the Secretary of State on the housing aspect, she speaks of the failure "to create a building of distinctive character which would support a sense of local pride and dignity," and that the development "would also be in stark contrast to the terraced housing in the surrounding area."
The conclusions also state: " -- the Secretary of State has strong reservations about the visual impact of the proposed scheme, its relationship to the existing centre and its potential to provide a high quality of life for those living, working or otherwise using it."
There are some references to the input from local Councillor John Beanse:
"Cllr.Beanse took the opportunity to voice the varied views of his constituents." [Another place in the report refers to Cllr.Beanse representing both sides of the argument "very helpfully (and fairly)".]
"At the Inquiry the applicant failed to demonstrate circumstances of a Tesco having the effect of enhancing a local centre. The opposite is in fact a reality, as evidenced by the effect on Ponders End - - - " [this was in response to a persistent line of questioning from John Beanse].
WHAT HAPPENS NOW? Tesco could challenge the decision in the High Court; or perhaps they might be interested in making a new application, perhaps for a smaller store with a different style of housing development??
Watch this space!
# posted by John Beanse @ 11:27 AM 
