Food store with offices at Ebsworth Street Car Park, Manchester

What was proposed

A two-storey building with a basement would provide a convenience food store, ancillary offices, storage, parking, refuse facilities and landscaping.

“Proposal Erection of a two-storey (plus basement) building to comprise a 702 sqm GIA [750 sqm GEA] retail convenience food store at ground level, with 702 sqm GIA [750 sqm GEA] ancillary offices and staff welfare space at first floor, and 702 sqm GIA [750 sqm GEA] cold room / storage space at basement level, with associated refuse store, car, cycle and motorcycle parking facilities, and hard and soft landscaping.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a 69-space public car park at the southern edge of Moston Lane Local Centre, near homes, shops, a mosque and a day nursery.

“The site is located in the centre of Moston and is bound by Ebsworth to the west, Kenyon Lane to the east, Penn Street to the south and the rear elevations of established retail units, a mosque and day nursery to the north. The site is neighboured by two storey residential properties to the west and a working men’s club, which has an existing planning permission for conversion into a retail unit to the opposite side of Penn Street.”

“The site lies at the southern edge of Moston Lane Local Centre. A busy hub focused around Moston Lane that offers a mix of small shops, food and drink outlets and other commercial uses. The wider area is largely residential in character.”

Officer report

Why the site was chosen

The applicant’s existing store nearby would relocate, freeing its current site for redevelopment as part of wider Moston regeneration proposals.

“The City Council has approached the applicant regarding its regeneration proposals, which include land presently occupied by the Superstore. As part of these discussions, the Council has identified the Ebsworth Street site as a suitable location for a relocated or replacement retail store. This relocation would, in turn, free up the Pym Street site for redevelopment, supporting the wider regeneration ambitions for the Moston Lane area.”

“The development is proposed to facilitate the relocation and replacement of the applicant’s existing ‘Moston Superstore’ on Pym Street which the City Council has earmarked for redevelopment as part of the wider regeneration masterplan for the Moston area in line with the Moston Regeneration Framework.”

Officer report

Who spoke

No objector attended, while the applicant’s agent spoke about the modern store, landscaping, accessibility, jobs and regeneration benefits.

What members discussed

Members asked about safety improvements for the neighbouring nursery, responsibility for costs and whether further parking conditions could be imposed.

“The Committee raised the following issues; would the development affect the Nursery next door and if so, who would incur the costs of any potential safety improvements.”

“The Planning Officer responded by stating that colleagues in the Council’s Development Team had been in touch with the Nursery and there was a side gate access from Moston Lane and this would keep costs down. However, any additional costs would be a matter between the developer and the relevant part of the Council. Additionally, there was a nearby lay by for drop off and pick up at the Nursery.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Councillor Andrews moved approval and Councillor Curley seconded the motion.

“Councillor Andrews moved the Officer’s recommendation.”

Minutes

The decision

The Committee approved the application subject to the conditions set out in the report.

“The Committee resolved to move the recommendation of Approve for the application subject to conditions within the report.”

Minutes