Expanded food hall at 5 7 Bessant Drive, Richmond, London

What was proposed

The application sought to expand food sales in Units 5-7 from 743 square metres to 1,876.4 square metres without external building changes.

“The proposal is for the food hall in Unit 5-7 to be expanded from the 743 sq. m currently to 1,876.4 sq.m. While such a change would not usually require planning permission, the original planning permission for the retail park explicitly restricted food retail and the subsequent permission to allow the creation of the food hall restricted this element to 743 sq. m. The planning history of the site is set out in Section 5 below.”

“No external changes or physical alterations to the building are proposed as part of the application which relates solely to the use of the unit.”

Officer report

Planning history

The retail park was approved in 1993 for non-food sales, while permission in 2001 allowed 743 square metres of food sales for Marks and Spencer.

“In 1995 permission (95/2073/FUL) was granted to vary condition (x) of the outline permission to allow the sales of baby foods at 1A Bessant Drive (Children’s World, then Mothercare, currently Sports Direct). Two notable conditions were attached to the permission: • That no more than 21 square metres of floor space of the proposed building shall be used for the retail sale of baby foods.”

“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:”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers concluded that the sequential test was passed, town centres would not suffer significant harm, transport impacts were acceptable, and conditions would provide mitigation.

“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, consultee responses and mitigation secured via condition.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Committee heard from the applicant in support; the agent withdrew the request to speak.

Members’ discussion

Members considered the site’s history and location and expressed disappointment that increased electric vehicle charging was not included.

“The Committee discussed the application, taking into account the history and location of the site, relevant planning history and reasons for the Committee considering the application.”

“Some Members expressed disappointment that the application did not include a commitment to increase EV car charging at Kew Retails Park.”

Minutes

The vote

Members found no reason to refuse the application and voted in accordance with the officer recommendation.

“Members were of the view that there were no reasons to refuse the application and so would vote in accordance with the officer recommendation.”

Minutes

The decision

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

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

Minutes