Agenda item

UTT/20/2028/FUL - Tesco Supermarket, Stortford Road, GREAT DUNMOW

To consider application UTT/20/2028/FUL.

Minutes:

The Senior Planning Officer said that the application proposal related to the erection of a single storey extension to the existing Tesco retail store at Stortford Road to provide additional floor space to allow the store to stock a wider range of products. It would also allow for a smoother and more efficient in-house retail

operation with resultant less congestion for customers thereby resulting in an

improved customer experience within the store. The proposed extension would involve the loss of 36 existing parking spaces at the rear of the site, including disabled parking, although this loss of parking would be compensated through a reconfigured car parking layout that would ultimately increase the number of parking spaces from 360 to 369. Vehicular access arrangements at the site would remain as existing with the exception of a change in the bend at the front end of the car park, although the proposal would include the widening of the existing pedestrian access from the store car park to Stortford Road to be made suitable for cycle and pedestrian access and connection to the existing footway/cycleway.

 

There was a brief adjournment between 10.28 am and 10.34 am whilst a technical issue was addressed.

 

The Senior Planning Officer also said that revised layout drawings had been submitted that included one new “power” aisle that would be 3 metres in width as opposed to the usual 2 metres width but that the modified car parking arrangements would result in the loss of the recycling facility. He said that the footpath would be widened. He referred to the Retail Impact and Sequential Assessment that included the conclusion that the proposed development would not undermine Great Dunmow Town Centre. Great Dunmow Town Council had supported the application and that previous drainage issues had been overcome.

 

The application was recommended for approval with conditions with S106 Agreement.

 

In response to various concerns from Members about possible inadequate parking, the Senior Planning Officer clarified the proposed new disabled parking arrangements; he said that Tescos had indicated that they were likely to be 30-40 new jobs created but that staff did not have a dedicated car park.

 

The Development Manager said that provision of car parking spaces was very much part of the Tescos sales pitch and he addressed the possibility of conditioning car parking arrangements and said that it would not be right to add a condition in respect of commercial development. He said that a travel plan was included within the recommendation.

 

Further concerns were expressed of the drainage issue. Officers confirmed that these had been resolved with Essex County Council SuDS and that there was no longer a holding objection in place.

 

Members discussed the possibilities of additional conditions being added in respect of:

·         The design of the facility possibly including solar panels and a flat roof

·         Provision of electric charging points

·         Future provision of recycling facilities

·         Landscaping arrangements

·         A Construction Management Plan to be in place

 

Councillor Fairhurstsaid that the “on-line” world had significantly changed things and proposed that the application be approved subject to additional conditions being added and the replacement recycling facility being part of the S106 clause.

 

Councillor Le Count seconded the motion.

 

RESOLVED to approve the application with additional conditions with respect of provision of renewable solutions, for example solar panels, regarding the proposed extension, including electric charging points provision. Other conditions would be added relating to landscaping provision and inclusion of a Construction Management Plan. The replacement recycling facility would be part of the S106 clause.

 

 

Supporting documents: