Agenda item

DCNC2008/1027/F & DCNW2008/1233/F - MORRISON SUPERSTORE, BARONS CROSS ROAD, LEOMINSTER, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR6 8RH. (Agenda Item 7)

a) Variation of condition 5 of permission 900852 and condition 2 of permission 97/0953/N to allow a maximum of 15% of the total sales area of the store to be used for the sale of comparison goods. Removal of condition 3 of permission 97/0953 to allow former crèche to be used as a café.

b) Proposed extension for additional sales and warehousing area and increased cycle, motorbike and disabled parking spaces.

Minutes:

b) Proposed extension for additional sales and warehousing area and increased cycle, motorbike and disabled parking spaces.

The Principal Planning Officer informed the sub-committee of a typing error in Item 7B and said that the application number should contain the letters NC instead of NW. He also informed the sub-committee that the word “extended” should be omitted from the first line in respect of condition one of NC2008/1027/F

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Thomas, representing Leominster Town Council, spoke in objection to the application.

Councillor RC Hunt, the Local Ward Member noted that Morrison’s Supermarket was a very busy outlet. He advised Members that he agreed with the retail planning statement within the report. Finally he pointed out to the sub-committee that there would be an increase in traffic flow but welcomed the section 106 agreement as it made provision to provide sustainable transport measures in Leominster.

Members expressed concern that the economic viability of Leominster Town Centre may be worsened by an extension to the supermarket on the edge of the town but recognised that there was sufficient public demand for the development. Members expressed sadness at the loss of the crèche facility in the store, but were pleased to see that a traffic study had been recently carried out.

Members were concerned regarding non compliance of conditions on a previous planning permission, but on balance were minded to allow the proposed development.

RESOLVED

In respect of DCNC2008/1027/F:

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1. No more than 15% of the net retail sales area of the store shall be used for the sale of comparison goods (as defined at P.7 of MapInfo's Expenditure Explanatory Volume submitted by the applicant on 29th July 2008) unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In order to ensure the continued vitality and viability of Leominster town centre in accordance with Policy TCR2 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan 2007.

Informatives:

1. N15 - Reason(s) for the Grant of Planning Permission

2. N19 - Avoidance of doubt - Approved Plans

3. HN25 - Travel Plans

4. HN26 - Travel Plans

5. HN27 - Annual travel Plan Reviews

6. HN28 - Highways Design Guide and Specification

In respect of DCNC2008/1233/F:

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1. A01 (Time limit for commencement (full permission)

Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2. No more than 15% of the net retail sales area of the extended store shall be used for the sale of comparison goods (as defined at P.7 of MapInfo's Expenditure Explanatory Volume submitted by the applicant on 29^th July 2008) unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In order to ensure the continued vitality and viability of Leominster town centre in accordance with Policy TCR2 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan 2007.

3. C03 (Matching external materials (general)

Reason: To ensure the satisfactory appearance of the development so as to ensure that the development complies with the requirements of Policy DR1 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan

4. B07 (Section 106 Agreement)

Reason: In order to provide [enhanced sustainable transport infrastructure, educational facilities, improved play space, public art, waste recycling and affordable housing] in accordance with Policy DR5 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan 2007.

5. H29 ((Covered and secure cycle parking provision)

Reason: In order to ensure that the development is carried out in combination with a scheme aimed at promoting the use of a range of sustainable transport initiatives and to conform with the requirements of Policy DR3 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

6. H30 (Travel plans)