Approval for new Sainsbury's
Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has been granted permission to open its fifth store in Bath, with approval of a new scheme at Odd Down.
Councillors yesterday voted in favour of the development on a six-acre plot of land between St Martin’s Primary School and Three Ways School.
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sainsbury's
However, members of the development control committee were split, with half of them voting against permission on the grounds that it did not comply with all of conditions of the local plan - including the provision of a community facility.
Chairman Councillor Les Kew (Con, High Littleton) used his deciding vote to approve the store, which will be of a similar size to Morrisons on London Road, in principle.
Formal planning permission will be delegated to officers to give after detailed talks with the applicant.
The store, which will be accompanied by a 258-space car park, is part of a wider scheme, which will later see the erection of a care home along with retirement housing.
An original application included plans for a parade of shops, a sports hall and a clubhouse but were dropped following an exhibition outlining the proposals to local people last year.
In November bosses at Odd Down Developments said they would instead be working with existing sports clubs at Odd Down to help them improve facilities.
At the meeting Bruno Moore, who works for Sainsbury’s, said they had been planning the project for the last 18 months and had worked hard to keep the community involved.
He said: “The scheme is a good balance between policy considerations and something that is economical viable and deliverable.
“The store itself responds to needs, which the council itself identified for the south of Bath.
“And the consultation period will not finish here - we will continue to consult with stakeholders, particularly local schools.”
But others did not share his enthusiasm for the scheme.
Councillor David Bellotti (Lib Dem, Lyncombe) said he was not against a supermarket at the spot, but was disappointed with the plans which had been presented before him.
He said: “I have no difficulty having a supermarket at this site but I had very much hoped it would not be as big as this.
“There is very little I can find in the end that I like about it, when before I was not against it.”
Councillor Roger Symonds (Lib Dem, Combe Down) echoed his concerns about the development and expressed worries about traffic problems in an area which is already highly congested.
He also argued that the development did not fit with the local plan with its failure to provide a community facility or playing area for the children.
Councillor Carol Paradise (Lib Dem, Kingsmead) who also objected, added: “To Tarmac over green fields in this day and age is unforgivable.
“Especially when it could be used as gardens for children to play on.”
Some of the land being used is former playing fields sold by Hayesfield School.
43 Comments
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by nb, bath
Saturday, January 23 2010, 2:24PM
“So in summary:
1. there were a large number of objections to the scheme on the planning website
2. the only person to support the scheme on the planning website wanted the care home but didn't mention the supermarket
3. half the councillors on the committee objected
4. the chairman gave approval to the scheme with his deciding vote
Yes , I'm definitely missing something. Why would you approve a scheme that clearly does not appear to have particularly strong support, but has strong objections including from within the council itself?”
by Mike from the outside, Outside Bath
Friday, January 22 2010, 7:58PM
“nb - perhaps I should have kept just thinking it myself...! Seriously, I do despair sometimes - this is in danger of turning into a rant, but these people are supposed to be our elected representatives yet they seem completely out of touch with people in the city or am I missing something here? Happy to sit corrected if it really is desired by the majority but I somehow doubt that's the case.”
by nb, bath
Friday, January 22 2010, 7:26PM
“Mike, I think you'll find that you're suggesting what a number of us are thinking.”
by Mike from the outside, Outside Bath
Friday, January 22 2010, 6:56PM
“The interesting thing to me, that I think I've only seen one comment on, is that this took a casting vote to decide. I wonder what his reasons were for voting in favour? Not wanting to insinuate anything but I bet Mr. Kew from High Littleton will be there on opening day...can't understand this myself, does Bath really need another mega supermarket?”
by Bubba, Bath
Friday, January 22 2010, 6:42PM
“Thomas, the point I'm trying to make is getting into Sainsburys store now is difficult at peak times but at normal times it isn't difficult but it's car park is nearly twice what the new store will have. Therefore the traffic won't be as bad as some people think. Plus it is assumed the store will have a turnover of 258 cars all day. If the commenters such as yourself on here say, you won't shop there anywhere.
As I said I live less than a mile away & I really can't get worked up about a shop. Some people need to get out more.”
by Thomas, Bath
Friday, January 22 2010, 6:22PM
“Bubba are you for real? You really don't think that 258 cars are going to go there, park and stay all day do you? The spaces will turn over many times a day equating to a massive increase in traffic on a road already clogged for most of the day. Even people who live in the area will drive there as they will probably buy more than they can carry in one trip. Once in the car I'm afraid I will still drive to Morrisons as it is a much better Supermarket.”
by Bubba, Bath
Friday, January 22 2010, 5:32PM
“Michelle, there are no small Asda stores such as Tesco Express or Sainsburys Metro, only larger ones. To have 4 Tesco and 4 Sainsbog as it is now and Asda to come in would only make Asda say "Hang on, we only have 1 and they have 4, lets build another". I have also never heard Asda try to get a store in Bath so maybe as much as people want one, if they dont have a need, they wont.
Another interesting fact is this story says there will be 258 spaces. Does anyone now just how many cars use that road and will it actually make much noticeable difference to traffic since you can only fit 258 cars in.
A quick search says the main Sainsbury store has 450 spaces but on Sainsburys own website they suggest 600 so I assume they are adding Hombase spaces.
We all know getting into the main store can be tricky but if there is 450 spaces in Sainsburys main store and just over half that in Odd Down, will it really be that bad?? I don't think so.”
by Michele, Widcombe
Friday, January 22 2010, 2:27PM
“There are quite enough Sainsburys in Bath already. We need competition - perhaps from Tesco or Asda?”
by Derek S, Bath
Friday, January 22 2010, 12:23PM
“"Could it be that they knew there would be more buses going up there before this decision was made? Could this actually be joined up thinking by the council?"
No PW, it isn't joined-up thinking at all...
What percentage of people using the existing Sainbury/Morrisons stores travel to and from them by bus? This store will only encourage more congestion, which will encourage more development.
"Formal planning permission will be delegated to officers to give after detailed talks with the applicant." means that as reported elsewhere B&NES Council cannot be trusted.
If Odd Down residents continue to fail to make their voices heard they can also start waving goodbye to any other green spaces immediately.”
by nb, bath
Friday, January 22 2010, 10:36AM
“Lucy, indeed I have, and I must confess it's not my food store of choice, err and not my clothes store of choice. I also agree with you about Sainsbugs being full to the brim on opening day, but I'm not sure that it's a fair bet as the main reason will be because no-one can get out onto Frome Road.
My point about congestion still stands”