Image of the original proposals - note that the latest design has changed slightly
It has been announced that Tesco’s planning application to build a new supermarket and 26 flats on a site at Reading Arch Road (where Lifestyle Ford currently is, along with the units behind it) will be heard and determined at the Planning Committee meeting on 16th February.
The application was initially submitted in 2009, but has been subject to a number of objections, for example from the Environment Agency and Network Rail, and has undergone amendment since then.
Recommendation for refusal
As set out in the report to the Committee (accessible here) the Council’s planning officers are recommending that the application is REFUSED, on a number of grounds including the fact that the location is outside of the town centre and that there are alternative sites suitable for supermarket development which are closer to the town centre (for example the Warwick Quandrant and Cromwell Road sites).
The Planning Committee will have to consider all of the implications of the application, and whether it is in line with local and national planning policies. It the Committee refuses the application then Tesco are able to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
For the full content of the application, see the following page on the Council’s website (for the latest plans themselves, scroll down to documents dated 25 November 2010): https://bdsdocs.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/Planning/dialog.page?org.apache.shale.dialog.DIALOG_NAME=gfplanningsearch&Param=lg.Planning&viewdocs=true&SDescription=09/00606/F&WARD=RE&MAPEAST=527921&MAPNORTH=150203
Sainsbury’s have also published proposals for extending their existing store, although these are not yet at the stage of being considered by the Planning Committee – for more information see this article.
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I support the Councils refusal to allow the Tesco development on the present site of the Ford garage
Thank you for your comment – however please note that the decision has not yet been made – it is only a recommendation at this stage.
If you wish to see the decision being made, the Planning Committee meets on 16 February (Wednesday), 7.30pm at the Town Hall in Reigate.
The location of the Tesco store would not encourage a viable Redhill town centre.
The distance from the major transport hub of the station / bus station, and the unappealing nature of the connecting route for pedestrians, would mean the store would not encourage sustainable transport use.
Tesco already have a major store at Horley, so this would reduce competition in the area, since such a development would inevitably lead to the demise of the Sainsbury’s store. Whilst I recognise this is not a valid planning ground, it is highly relevant!
Tesco is the wrong supermarket for Redhill. We are trying to raise the profile of Redhill and encourage smaller shops to flourish. Tesco with its massive percentage of nationwide sales will swamp the town. The site south of the railway bridge means that shoppers would park and shop and go home. The traffic would continually be jammed on the A23.
The designs are architecturally uninspiring although there is a token provision for twenty flats above the retail area.
Tesco is not the way ahead for Redhill.