Food retail store at 47 Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton

The site and surroundings

The site is a former car showroom and garage, now used for car washing and used car sales, beside a conservation area and listed building.

“The application site is located on the south-east side of Portsmouth Road in Thames Ditton. The application site was formerly in use as a Guy Salmon car showroom and garage though this has now ceased and the site is currently in use as a car wash and used car sales. The existing buildings are single storey with a large parking area to the front of the buildings.”

“The site is partially within and adjoins the Giggs Hill Green Conservation Area. To the south-west of the site is the Grade II Listed Building The Angel Inn and on the…”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier food-store application was refused and its appeal dismissed; the new scheme reduces the building, parking and floor area and adds landscaping.

“The proposed retail store would be principally single storey with a small set back first floor element in the eastern section of the building. To the front of the site would be a parking area containing 48 car parking spaces, of which 3 would be disabled spaces, 5 parent and child spaces and 6 of the spaces (including 1 disabled and 1 parent and child spaces) would be served by electric vehicle charging facilities.”

“The proposed building is now principally single storey with small first floor elements in the eastern and section of the site and the southern sections of the site, compared to a near entirely two-storey building previously proposed. • The total floor area and the retail floor area have been reduced from 1,513m 2 and 926m2 respectively, to 1,345m 2 and 822m 2 respectively. • The building would extend further into the eastern section of the site than previously.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, flood, ecology, trees, contamination, noise and pollution consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while the conservation advisory committee objected.

“Environmental Health Noise and Pollution – No objection subject to conditions to secure the mitigation measures set out in the air quality assessment and noise report and hours of use conditions for hours of use and deliveries.”

“Surrey County Council Lead Local Flood Authority – Initially objected to the proposal as the initially submitted drainage scheme did not meet requirements. Following the receipt of additional information confirmed that they had no objection subject to conditions.”

Officer report

What people said

Residents raised concerns about traffic, parking, heritage, neighbours, pollution, flooding and biodiversity, while supporters cited affordable shopping, access, jobs and improved design.

“No parking provision for staff. • Introduction of parking metres would be detrimental to local residents and local businesses. • Sewer infrastructure would not cope. • EV charging provision is not specified. • Conflicts with policies. • Loss of privacy to adjacent neighbours. • Increased anti-social behaviour. • Ramp gradient to access the site could cause vehicle damage. • Evidence suggests new jobs would be filled by non-local workers rather than local residents.”

“Would not increase surrounding traffic. • Design is in keeping with the local area. • Access to more affordable shopping. • Located on a bus route, therefore, strong accessibility for pensioners. • Walking distance for local residents. This would reduce vehicle emissions and traffic. • Boosts local employment. • Design is attractive. • Would redevelop an unsightly abandoned brownfield site. • Addresses objections to previous application.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from an objector and the agent, while 25 further letters of support had been received.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission with the report’s conditions and informatives, subject to biodiversity monitoring and a new green wall management condition.

“Resolved that permission be granted with the conditions and informatives as outlined in the agenda, subject to the completion of a satisfactory Legal Agreement securing the monitoring of the proposed on-site biodiversity net gain within 3 months of the resolution to grant permission, or a longer period as agreed by the Head of Planning and Environmental Health, and subject to the following additional condition:”

“Additional Condition 34. Green Wall Management Plan Prior to first use of the development hereby permitted a management plan for the proposed green wall on the rear elevation of the building shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The green wall shall then be installed prior to first use and thereafter maintained in accordance with the approved management plan for the lifetime of the development.”

Minutes