Tesco gets approval for expanded store in Weston
A scheme that will allow the expansion of the Tesco supermarket in Weston has finally been approved.
Now local councillor Colin Barrett says he wants to work with the firm to minimise the parking problems resulting from the development, which will also see flats created above the shop.
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COUNCILLOR MARTIN VEAL: Expressed concerns over parking
The decision had already been delayed until councillors had been on a site visit, to assess concerns from residents about parking and the impact on smaller businesses.
Nine councillors voted to give the plans the go-ahead, while three were against the idea, which had been recommended for approval by planning officials.
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Councillor Eleanor Jackson (Lab, Radstock) told Bath and North East Somerset Council's development control committee she had been struck by the ugliness of the existing car park and building.
"This seems to be to be a development that will enhance the conservation area of Weston."
The scheme has proved controversial, with some residents arguing there is not enough parking for a larger supermarket and others expressing concerns that it will harm the smaller businesses on the High Street.
It would more than double the size of the shop, and create six two-bedroom flats, but reduce the number of car parking spaces from 24 to 15.
Councillor Martin Veal (Con, Bathavon North) expressed concerns over parking, and said the car park would be overwhelmed.
"Enlarge this facility and it will blight the village of Weston forever."
Mr Barrett (Con, Weston), and resident Georgina Clampett-Dix spoke against the plans, and a petition with 500 signatures on it opposing the scheme had been presented.
He said: "I'm naturally very disappointed with this decision as I believed we had some very strong arguments against the plans as they stand. The situation we will now have is a much larger store attracting more shoppers from further afield, plus new flats, but with fewer parking spaces available. I will be working with Tesco and the developer to see if anything can be done to mitigate the impact this will have."
Geoff Richards, agent for the developers Bath Weston One, shrugged off the parking fears.
He told councillors: "This is not a public car park, and it does not fall on my clients to provide parking for people using the High Street.
"Rather than increasing the number of shoppers by increasing the shop our research has shown that it will just change the nature of their shop."
Comments
by BonnyB
Saturday, December 01 2012, 9:42PM
“The current car park and high street parking is packed at all hours now, this development is pure profiteering and to hell with the community. I moved to Weston 8 years ago because it has a genuine village feel which will now be damaged. Many of the shopkeepers were given notice to quit and shops are already closing in many cases family business which have been there for years and give great service especially to older people - Bath Council clearly does not give a stuff about ordinary people.”
by 26sean
Saturday, December 01 2012, 8:51AM
“@ladyrant just a bit of info for you
http://tinyurl.com/bwbjsrt
you will be able to see all the people on the development control”
by LadyRant
Friday, November 30 2012, 10:32PM
“Why the hell should Eleanor Jackson of Radstock have any kind of say in 'developments' happening in Weston Village? Weston is a real community village - it really doesn't need outsiders sticking their uneducated noses in!!!”
by clarysage50
Friday, November 30 2012, 7:40PM
“Where are all the other messages which were posted following the original publication of this item?? Presumably the website does not have the software which would enable the messages to be linked?? Much of this article is simply a duplication of the original so let's see ALL the messages posted. God...this website!!!!”
by FredofoffBath
Friday, November 30 2012, 6:30PM
“Vote with your feet, don't shop at tesco. I would love to see them lose money on this one!”
by rogerh3
Friday, November 30 2012, 6:02PM
“Too true, unfortunately. I believe most of the Tesco expansion is from extending into the neighbouring shops - something that was previously deemed not to require planning permission.”
by Dave_Weston
Friday, November 30 2012, 3:16PM
“Tesco will end up with a bigger store out of this, but its far from clear that they are driving this. The developer is actually a company with two director shareholders, one of whom lives in Bath and has done a lot of similar developments around the south of England. Its fairly clear they've bought the plot, worked out how much value they can strip out of it and as Geoff Richards (admittedly the mouthpiece not the puppeteer - he's just the developers planning consultant) makes clear, stuff the local community! So to my understanding its not Tesco dumping on Weston from a great height its a Bath resident who should care more, not that I'm particularly canvasing sympathy for Tesco!
However ultimately the decision is probably technically correct as there is very little grounds under planning guidance to reject it. Applicants cannot be forced to provide more parking than they wish to (supposedly to encourage sustaintable transport use), there is a presumption in favour of development and what is there currently is not worth saving from the new development, nor will it apparently significantly change the impact of noise etc on nearby residents (although they may well disagree!). Add in to the equation the financial implications that the council will get more council tax from the 6 pokey flats, and avoids risking a costs order if they reject it and the planning inspectorate later overturn the decision, and you get a deck very heavily stacked in favour of a development despite logic suggesting perhaps it shouldn't be.
Unfortunately common sense and planning are often total strangers to each other!”
by Juneplayer
Friday, November 30 2012, 1:44PM
“I am really surprised that Cllr Eleanor Jackson is quoted as saying: '...this seems to be a development that will enhance the conservation area of Weston'. Has there been a misprint? I agree that what is there now IS ugly but the plans I saw of this development are far from attractive either, so will not improve the area at all. PLUS the loss of parking provision is going to cause lots of hassles. Also, I do not think much of Geoff Richards's comment - comes over as having no concern for the community at all, but then why should he? Tesco have got their way and what the impact will be on the community is now of no concern for him or Tesco. I very much doubt if any of them will be living there after the thing is built!”
by RobOldfield
Friday, November 30 2012, 10:46AM
“A councillor saying that a larger Tesco "... will enhance the conservation area of Weston." What planet are these people from?”
by Ilovespaniels
Friday, November 30 2012, 9:41AM
“"Geoff Richards, agent for the developers Bath Weston One, shrugged off the parking fears.
He told councillors: "This is not a public car park, and it does not fall on my clients to provide parking for people using the High Street.
"Rather than increasing the number of shoppers by increasing the shop our research has shown that it will just change the nature of their shop.""
Martin, the carpark and High Street is frequently overwhelmed now, this will be utter chaos, when will common sense return to Bath !”