Cambridgeshire village shop plans ‘lack clarity’ ‘illegible’ and create ‘confusion’

A highways official criticised plans for a new village shop telling the applicant they “lack clarity”, his drawings are “illegible” and have created “confusion”. Francis Hagan, highways development management engineer, was responding to Fenland District Council who had asked her to comment on the proposed change of use of the Nags Head public house at Eastrea near Whittlesey, into a convenience store.

Raju Goraniya bought the public house last year and has applied for change of use to the district council.

He also wants to install a new shop front, erect an outbuilding and 2.5m high gate, and gain consent for a (part retrospective) demolition of an existing outbuilding.

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But Francis Hagan told planners: “I am unable to comment on the application from the highways perspective because of the lack of clarity and the confusion regarding the information and the illegible drawings submitted by the applicant for consideration.

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Nags Head, Eastrea

“This has made it onerous to appreciate what is being proposed in detail and the impacts it may have on the adjacent highway.”

The officer wants “clear, legible and comprehensive drawings of the existing and proposed building line with forecourt, with clear laid out parking and delivery bay designated arrangements, drainage, boundary fence and site access details” before making a recommendation.

And the highways official adds: “A convenience store would likely result in a greater trip generation with trips more likely to be during the daytime.

“On this basis, the car park access, should comply with current standards i.e., 5m wide with the appropriate pedestrian and inter-vehicular visibility splays.

“I would also request the applicant provides me with the trip generated data needed to facilitate comparison between the permitted use and the forecast proposed use.

Sample of the plans for conversion of Nags Head, Eastrea, into a village shop. Highways official say they not acceptable

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“If the applicant is unwilling or unable to amend the application or provide additional information with improved clear and legible quality of drawings, please advise me so I may consider making further recommendations, possibly of refusal”.

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Sample of the plans for conversion of Nags Head, Eastrea, into a village shop. Highways official say they not acceptable

Whittlesey town council is recommending refusal “due to the access from Jones Lane as this is used constantly by breakdown vehicles and farm machinery.

“Access onto Wype Road has safety issue, along with the access from Springfields on the north side of the A605, as well as the children’s play area.

“There will be limited parking on the site, and the parking on the A605 will be dangerous”.

Sample of the plans for conversion of Nags Head, Eastrea, into a village shop. Highways official say they not acceptable

The town council adds: “There is also a pelican crossing and bus stop close by all these issues do not make for this to be a safe location for a convenience store. There is also the loss of a community asset, members vote unanimously in favour of rejection.”

Sample of the plans for conversion of Nags Head, Eastrea, into a village shop. Highways official say they not acceptable

The pub closed last year and was put up for sale with offers around £295,000.

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