Food store at Unit 8 Gallagher Retail Park, Parc Pontypandy, Caerphilly

“Description and Location of Development: Vary Condition 6 (Restriction of type of goods sold) of Planning Permission P/02/1280 (Construct 7000 sq. m GEA retail units in three sub-divisible buildings with assoc.”

“Site description: The application site comprises Unit 8, which is an existing commercial building sited within the south-western section of Gallagher Retail Park (CM 2.2). The south-western section of the retail park comprises five units in an L-shaped formation which fronts onto a dedicated surface level car park. The unit is sited within a terrace of 4 No. units, which also contains Curry's, Halfords and Dreams.”

“Location: Unit 8, Gallagher Retail Park, Parc Pontypandy, Caerphilly, CF83 3GX.”

“Development: Planning permission P/02/1280, granted on 15th January 2003, constitutes the extant planning permission relevant to Unit 8. Condition 6 of this consent restricts the range of goods that may be sold from Unit 8 as follows: "The retail warehouse units shall only be used for the sale of the following goods:- D.I.Y.”

“25/0456/CLPU - Obtain a Lawful Development Certificate for the proposed replacement of existing frameless glazing system and entrance doors to front elevation with curtain wall glazing and one pair of automatic opening, bi-parting entrance doors - Granted 26.08.2025.”

“The Welsh Government operates a 'town centres first' policy in relation to the location of new retail and commercial centre development. As such, planning authorities should adopt a sequential approach when determining planning applications for retail and other complementary uses. By adopting a sequential approach, first preference should be to locate new development within a retail and commercial centre defined in the development plan hierarchy of centres.”

“In terms of retail policy tests, it is considered that the Retail Impact Assessment adequately addresses the sequential test for this application and provides a reasoned justification as to why the identified town centre sites are not suitable or available for redevelopment. It is considered that qualitative and quantitative need is adequately established and impact on the Town Centre is not considered to be significantly adverse.”

“Strategic & Development Plans - The Council's Strategic & Development Plans Team clarify that the proposal should consider quantitative and qualitative need; the impact the proposals may have on Caerphilly Town Centre; and whether the shops could be sited in sequentially preferable locations relative to Caerphilly Town Centre. Whilst full quantitative need is not established for both food stores in combination, it is difficult to measure or forecast need with certainty.”

“Natural Resources Wales - We do not consider that the proposed development affects a matter listed on our Consultation Topics, Development Planning Advisory Service: Consultation Topics (September 2018):”

“Extent of advertisement: The application was advertised by site notice, neighbour notification letter and by press notice.”

“The Planning Case Officer presented the application, with it confirmed in the accompanying report that the recommendation in respect of the proposal had taken full account of, and was in conformity with, both Future Wales and Planning Policy Wales Edition 12.”

“Following consideration of the application it was moved and seconded that, subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the recommendation be approved. By way of Microsoft Forms (and in noting there were 10 For, 0 Against and 0 Abstentions) this was unanimously agreed.”

“(i) Subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the application be GRANTED.”