Discount food store at Swallow Aquatics, London Road, Rayleigh

“To the west of the site is a cluster of other development comprising a car wash, van hire business and car sales yard. A fireworks trailer sales unit is also sited on the site immediately adjacent, located towards the front of the site. Beyond to the west is a café, bungalow and a plant nursery. At the rear of the nursery is another bungalow, a barn converted into a dwelling and some caravans used for temporary workers and security purposes.”

“ROC/549/77 – erect a garden centre – refused 85/00636/FUL - flat roof extension on west elevation pitched roof extension on north elevations and layout car park – refused 86/00939/FUL - extension to existing nursery building – refused 89/00980/FUL - single storey rear extension to provide canteen offices fish quarantine store – refused. Appeal dismissed 90/00244/FUL - Single storey rear extension to provide canteen and office – refused.”

“This application seeks planning permission for a discount food store on previously developed land within the Green Belt. Given the nature and scale of the proposal and the volume of existing buildings which would be demolished, the proposal is considered to constitute appropriate development in the Green Belt.”

“Benefits to biodiversity would result from the redevelopment of the site and the building would meet policy requirements in relation to installation of renewables to the benefit of environmental sustainability. Whilst the proposal would conflict with aspects of development plan policy relating to the Green Belt and retail development, when assessed against more up to date national planning policy, these material considerations indicate that the proposal should be approved.”

“An ensuing debate took place on the highways issues within the report and some questions raised regarding • vehicles being able to turn right from the stores exit across three lanes of traffic. • new bus lane • signalled crossing • Cllr A Eves requested that the Officer come back to him with a response from highways regarding the issues that have been discussed this evening.”

“Cllr A Eves moved a motion, seconded by Cllr L Shaw that the Committee RESOLVES to APPROVE planning permission subject to the applicant entering into a LEGAL AGREEMENT UNDER SECTION 106 of the Act to provide the following heads of terms and subject to the conditions on pages 21 -31 of the report, and amended conditions 23 and 24.”

“Resolved That the application be approved subject to the following Heads of Terms of a Section106 legal agreement and subject to the following conditions 1 to 26.”