Food and non-food store at 1a Kew Retail Park, Bessant Drive, London

The site and its setting

The unit is at the north end of Kew Retail Park, beside Bessant Drive, shared parking and a rear service road.

“Kew Retail Park is located in Kew on the east side of the south circular road close to Gypsy Corner. The site is bounded by Kew Meadows footpath to the west, the apartment blocks and gardens of Meliss Avenue to the east and by Bessant Drive to the north. The wider area is…”

“Unit 1a of the retail park is located at the north end adjacent to Bessant Drive and is served by an access road at the rear with loading bay. Along the north side is a service road and parking area which is not currently used, planting and a bus stop. To the south and west of the unit is the car park which is shared between all the units on the retail park as well as some cycle parking stands close to the main entrance to Unit 1a.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions and applications

The retail park was approved for non-food sales, with later permissions allowing limited food sales and a separate live food-retail application.

“In February 1993 outline planning permission was refused on the following grounds for a non-food retail park and restaurant with associated parking and access routes (92/1946/OUT): • The proposal is inconsistent with the strategy contained in the Unitary Development Plan deposit draft and in particular policies EMP 5 and SHP 4 and project site K1 and furthermore as such the proposal is premature.”

“Permission was granted in 2001 (99/2901) to vary condition (x) of the outline permission 92/1676/OUT restricting the sale of food items at 6-7 Bessant Drive and to allow 743 Sq.m. of food sales. Nos.5, 6 and 7 are presently occupied by Marks and Spencer with food retail in No 6 and 7. The permission included the following conditions: • That no more than 743 square metres of floor space of the proposed building shall be used for food and drink sales.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the sequential test was passed, town-centre impacts were not significant, and transport and other effects could be controlled.

“In terms of compliance, the development passes the sequential test and is not deemed to significantly harm the vitality and viability of nearby centres. The development will not compromise the safety of the nearby junction, which would remain with capacity, and would not have a severe impact on the overall transport network.”

“Officers conclude the proposal complies with the Development Plan and other material planning considerations when taken as a whole, taking into consideration the nature of the application, the planning history of the site, representations of members of the public and consultees, and possible mitigations.”

Officer report

Consultees and public comments

Consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while comments raised concerns about food retail, odour, noise, anti-social behaviour and local character.

“Issue I Noise pollution • May increase noise and anti-social behaviour in the evenings…”

“Environmental Health – Air quality No objections subject to the restriction of any construction traffic to outside peak hours Environmental Health - noise No objection to the proposals subject to conditions to restrict external plant and noise levels and service yard management plant.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the agent in support of the application.

What members discussed

Members supported the greater food choice, considered town-centre harm unlikely, and accepted the transport findings despite bus-service concerns.

“Members were mindful of the need to protect town centres but considered that this application was unlikely to have a detrimental effect.”

“Members discussed transport to the site and some concerns were raised that there was only one direct bus service to Kew Retail Park. Members were surprised that traffic reports for the application indicated that there would be no severe impacts on the highway network but accepted this finding.”

Minutes

The committee decision

The Planning Committee approved the application subject to the recommended conditions and informatives.

“A majority of Members were of the view that they could see no reason to refuse the application and so were minded to vote in accordance with the officer recommendations.”

“RESOLVED that the Planning Committee APPROVED the application subject to conditions and informatives set out in Sections 14 and 15 of the Committee report.”

Minutes