One Stop Shop submit second set of plans for store in Albert Street, Spalding
A retail chain is hoping to persuade planners that a new convenience store is needed in a neighbourhood - two months after the previous bid was turned down.
One Stop Shop has once again applied to South Holland District Council to convert a former second hand store in Albert Street, Spalding, into a new corner shop and have argued that there is a need for its services.
A decision notice issued by the council’s planning department in June stated that the principle of development was ‘unacceptable’ as it was not supported by evidence to show a need for a convenience shop in that area along with the impact on nearby residents.
In documents submitted along with the latest application, the applicant states that it has conducted a retail assessment of the area.
The supporting information statement says: “For a store of this size, from experience of other stores it is likely that the vast majority of customers will be within 500 metre walking distance to the site and will use the shop for buying essential goods such as milk and bread.
“There are only two open convenience store within 500 metre walk of the site, which is Londis, which is situated 400 metres to the north of the site and Spalding Express, which is a small store, with a limited offer approximately 200 metres to the west of the site.
“There are no convenience stores to the east and south- east of south of the site and it is considered that these areas of underserved use will significantly benefit from having an essential goods convenience store within walking distance.
“Residents to the south- east of Spalding currently have to walk up to 1 kilometre to their nearest convenience store and this shop will provide a convenient new store for them to access by foot.
“Between 500 metres to 1 kilometre of the site there is an off- licence and Little Europe Groceries, both of which are situated on the edge of the town centre and serve a different geographical base to the proposed One Stop.
“Aldi, Iceland and Lidl are all situated within the town centre, with an additional Lidl almost a kilometre to the north of the site. They provide a market for those travelling to the town centre/undertaking their weekly shop and the proposed One Stop will meet a different need within a different location.
“Overall, it is considered that there is a clear lack of sufficient food store provision in the eastern part of Spalding, which is the location of the proposed One Stop store that this application relates to. I
“In this regard the proposed convenience store will provide a clear unmet need for residents to the west and south- west of the site.”
The applicant also argues this is a ‘very sustainable location’ and that the proposal would secure the ‘long term retention and utilisation of the existing building’.
The document goes onto say: “The proposed development will bring additional employment into the town both permanent employees and during the construction works associated with the fit out and replacement of part of the existing building
“The hours of use (Monday- Sunday 0700- 2200) have been clarified to ensure that the proposed development will have no unacceptable impact upon neighbouring residential amenity.”
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