A new Co-op convenience store for Coates near Whittlesey – expected to provide the equivalent of 15 full time jobs – is expected to win planning consent next week despite only attracting only six letters of support but 50 letters of objection. Fenland District Council officers will recommend it for approval when it goes before the planning committee on December 13.
“The scheme aligns with both local and national policy,” says an officers’ report.
“The scheme is considered to be acceptable in terms of visual and residential amenity. No objections have been raised with regard to the scheme from statutory consultees subject to conditions.”
Lincolnshire Co-op, who hope to build their latest store in the village, has overcome issues regarding parking, turning, loading, and unloading and made sure these movements stay clear of the main A605.
Councillors will be told, however, that Whittlesey Town Council continues to recommend refusal of the application “as it has a detrimental impact on the surrounding area, there are road safety issues with the close proximity of the school.
“With regards to the lighting and noise assessment, if there has to be a store, we are happy with the noise assessment and lighting plan”.
Six letters of support comprised four from people in March Road, Coates, and two from Burnthouse Road, Turves. Points in favour included the store being “a great addition to the village” and the “current site is an eyesore” and “great use of a brownfield site”.
Objectors – 43 of whom Coates residents – ranged from overdevelopment, loss of view/outlook, parking, shop not being needed, and “no requirement for Co-op on this land”.
Others pointed out that “shop is not needed, large Aldi within 2 miles – 2 other Coops and 2 Nisas serving Whittlesey” and “stores are expensive and stock a minimal selection of products – 90% support for Aldi to be built, overwhelming objection to Coop”.
Some also spoke of a “speeding issue on the A605 – pedestrian crossing predominantly used for the local school – impact on the existing village shop and post office – not able to compete – properties behind site security affected – Traffic congestion within the car park during school hours”.
Officers say “a number of letters of objection were received with regard to highway safety. However, no objections have been raised to the scheme from county council highways subject to appropriate conditions”,
And in respect of noise – “a number of letters of objection were received with regard to noise and lighting impacts on surrounding residential amenity” – the council environmental health officer has “raised no objections to the scheme subject to conditions to manage and minimise potential noise and light impacts”.
The site is situated on the southern side of March Road, Coates, and was formerly site was as a John Deere dealership, Anker of Coates. The site has been vacant for more than 10 years.
It is expected that the store would employ 15 people on a full-time equivalent basis with opening hours of 7am to 10pm Monday to Sunday and bank holidays.
Car parking will provide 19 car parking spaces (including 2 disabled) and 3 bicycle stands which will provide 6 bicycle spaces.
A new vehicular access and pedestrian access are proposed into the site.
