Agenda item

Demolition of existing convenience store building and redevelopment involving the erection of a convenience store (Class E) with associated parking and landscaping. As amended on 15/03/2022, 16/03/2022 and on 28/04/2022.

The Committee considered an application at Salfords Village Store, 21 Brighton Road, Salfords for the Demolition of existing convenience store building and redevelopment involving the erection of a convenience store (Class E) with associated parking and landscaping. As amended on 15/03/2022, 16/03/2022 and on 28/04/2022.

Jim Blackmore, Vice-Chair of Salfords and Sidlow Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application, raising concerns regarding the suitability of the site for a busy convenience store; highway safety in relation to vehicle movements at this busy junction associated with deliveries; the accident record in proximity to site and noise and disturbance to neighbours associated with deliveries and late night shoppers. It was explained that there was little onsite parking provided and parking in Honeycrock Lane was restricted by yellow lines and dropped kerbs. The plans showed that there were traffic islands in the middle of the A23 Brighton Road and Honeycrock Lane both of which could restrict the traffic going into and out of the site, in particular HGVs. The swept path analyses in the Mayer Brown Stage 1 Road Safety Audit showed the difficulty long and/or multi-axle lorries would have getting into and out of the site.  This was a significant matter at this junction, which has a long history of road accidents.  This analysis was not shown in the committee report. The report did not recognise the need to avoid noise nuisance to the neighbouring residential properties and only comments on internal plant at the south of the building.  It was felt that there should be a condition that no noisy machinery be located near the neighbouring residential properties or it must have adequate sound attenuation.  With deliveries arriving any time between 6am and 10 pm, delivery vehicles should be required to enter and leave in forward gear and avoid reversing warning sounders.  Whenever possible the engines of the delivery vehicles should be switched off.

Sarah Isherwood, the Agent, spoke in support of the application stating the site currently contained a dilapidated convenience store which had been vacant for some time. It had been vandalised and was detracting from the character and appearance of the surrounding area.  The proposal sought to bring the site back into use as a new store to serve the local community which was accessible on foot and would reduce the need to travel, improving the sustainability of the area for existing and future residents.  This point was supported by some local residents and there was support relating to job creation and economic growth.  Concerns were raised regarding highway safety however following discussions with Surrey County Council Highways team, amendments were made to the proposals including the submission of a road safety audit to demonstrate that the proposals would not have an impact on highway safety.  An additional planning condition was proposed to secure a Delivery and Servicing Management Plan which would include specific details on the management of the delivery bay.  This condition ensured the Local Planning Authority could assess and approve the details around how the Co-Op would operate the site based on the principles set out within the application.  Subject to the conditions set out, Surrey County Council Highways did not raise any objection to the proposals.  The proposals brought back into use a brownfield site within the local centre to provide a new Co-Op store to support the local community where there was currently no convenience store in easy walking distance.  The development would improve the character and appearance of the area by providing a replacement building of an appropriate scale and design.  No objections were raised by the Council’s technical consultees.

RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to conditions as per the recommendation.

Officers to consider the need for asbestos conditions in future given the doubling of legislation, an informative was preferred.