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V26-790 : W3798/7 - THREE WILLOWS NURSERY, ST JOHNS ROAD, BUNGAY

Application for construction of retail foodstore with associated car parking, service area and access.

The above application was a controversial matter within the Chairman's own ward, and for the duration of this item the Chairman joined the Committee and the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Punter, took the chair.

The report of the Director of Planning and Building Control concerned the above site, which was 350 metres south of the main shopping area in Bungay, and was at present in mixed use with a petrol filling station with garage and workshops, a garden centre and a pair of cottages. The original proposal was for a store at the rear of the site with car parking to the front, however the access to the site was poor and the application had been reviewed and was now in a much more sensible format. The store was now proposed to be at the front of the site with parking at the rear, with a service area to the north and an access which met the County Surveyor's requirements.

The Director felt that although much time had been spent on improving the application the site was still not suitable for the proposal submitted. Although the site was not an asset to the amenity of the neighbourhood, its use had always been low-key, unlike the proposed use. The site was close to residential properties on every side, so was unacceptable in development control terms.

The applicants argued that Bungay needed a much bigger store for local people which would also attract trade into the town, which was currently lost to other sites. It was also Government policy that large new shops should be placed in Town Centres if possible, or immediately outside. The applicants argued that the other proposed site for a large foodstore, at Hillside Road East, did not comply as it was half a mile from the Town Centre.

The Director, however, felt that their own application site, at 350 yards from the Town Centre along narrow roads, would be just as unlikely to be visited in conjunction with a trip to the Town Centre. People would make two trips, and on that basis the Hillside Road site would in fact be better in terms of access and parking.

The Town Council recommended refusal of the application due to traffic problems, access and impact on nearby residential properties. They also felt the development would have an adverse impact on the viability of Bungay Town Centre. The Highway Authority also recommended refusal due to sub-standard junctions, parking and arrangements for deliveries. There had also been 66 letters of objection to the application and two petitions.

The Director then advised that he had recently become aware of a third application for a new foodstore and petrol station in Bungay, on the Clays site immediately north of the Town Centre. Clays were seeking larger premises in Waveney, and redevelopment of the existing site would mean continuity of employment in that area. The Director, however, felt that this application could not be put into the equation at this early stage as a shopping impact assessment, traffic impact assessment and investigation of details would need to be carried out first. The Director simply wanted to bring the matter to the attention of members.

The Chief Executive advised that as the Hillside Road application had been referred to the Planning and Transportation Committee it would be fair to deal with this application in the same manner. Members concurred with this view, and resolved to refer the application with a recommendation of refusal.

RESOLVED

That application W3798/7 be referred by motion to the Planning and Transportation Committee with a recommendation of refusal.


Volume 26 Minute 790

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