Banking hub at Car Park And External Areas W M Morrison Supermarket, Hadleigh

What was proposed

The application proposed a prefabricated cabin for a banking hub, with access space, anti-ram bollards and underground power and data services.

“Development of Description Full Planning Application - Construction of pre-fabricated modular cabin to serve as banking hub, including small perimeter access area and introduction of anti-ram raid bollards. Installation of M&E services, including power and data trenched underground to the hub.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is part of a supermarket car park about 800 metres from the town centre, surrounded by housing and served by existing access.

“The site forms a small area of the existing car park to Morrisons Supermarket and QD Home-store, located off Aldham Mill Hill and Boswell Lane, in the north of the town of Hadleigh, approximately an 800-metre (or half a mile) walk from the town centre.”

“The site is located within the settlement boundary of Hadleigh, with the retail building located across the car park to the south. The site is surrounded by housing estates to the north, south and east, with others in close proximity, to the west.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Earlier applications concerned the car park, site access, car washing and the supermarket, with most applications granted and one refused.

“REF: B/13/00039 Extension to car park and re-grading of existing car park. Installation of lighting scheme to car parks (retention). DECISION: Granted (GTD) 08.03.2013”

“REF: B/12/00719 Alterations to layout of site access junction and widening of on site access road. DECISION: GTD 16.11.2012”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council supported the proposal, while consultees raised no objections subject to conditions and the Hadleigh Society welcomed the facility in principle.

“Hadleigh Town Council - Comments Received - 10/09/2025 Support this application.”

“The Hadleigh Society Comments Received - 16/05/2025 Do not raise Objection - Provision of a banking hub in the town is, in principle, welcome - The location is, however, unfortunate as is remote from the town centre, and not readily accessible to all residents.”

Officer report

Objections received

Twenty-one representations objected, citing inadequate access, poor public transport, distance from the town centre and difficulty for people without cars.

“At the time of writing this report 21 no. letters/emails/online comments have been received. It is the officer opinion that this represents 21 no. objections. An update shall be provided as necessary either via Tabled Papers or verbally at the meeting.”

“- Inadequate access - Inadequate public transport provisions - Site is too far away from the town centre - Inaccessible to those without a car - Preferred that a banking hub would be in the town centre…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector and the agent addressed the committee, with the agent answering questions about operating hours and banking hub services.

What members debated

Members debated the facility’s benefits, location, accessibility, transport, pedestrian safety, policy compliance, future use and local objections.

“Members debated the application on issues including: the benefits of having a banking facility in the area, the suitability of the proposed location of the site, the accessibility for intended users of the facility, compliance with planning policies, the accessibility of the location for residents in surrounding villages, the future viability of the site, and the weight to be given to the occupants of the unit when determining the application.”

“Members debated the application further on issues including: the purpose of the application, the access to the facility, and the objections received from local residents.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A refusal motion was defeated by 4 votes to 6, followed by approval of the application by 7 votes to 3.

“Councillor Grandon proposed that the application be refused as the proposal is contrary to policies LP28, LP29 and LP09.”

“The Case Officer responded to further questions from Members regarding the operating hours of the facility and whether the location was inside the settlement boundary . By a vote of 4 votes For and 6 Against…”

Minutes

The final decision

Planning permission was granted with standard conditions and additional controls covering welfare facilities, drainage, banking-hub use and removal when use ends.

“That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and/or any as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Planning Officer:”

“Accordance with the recommendations of the Flood Risk Assessment • Cycle storage • Restriction on noise level emitted • Restriction on operating hours of the external cooler/chiller • Restriction on construction hours • Details of agreement between applicant and W M Morrisons regarding use of toilet and welfare facilities • Drainage details • Use restricted to banking hub • Unit to be removed when use ends…”

Minutes