Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the demolition of existing retail unit and construction of foodstore with parking, landscaping and associated works

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the demolition of an existing retail unit (use class A1) and construction of foodstore (use class A1) with parking, landscaping and associated works at Westfield Mills, Kirk Lane, Yeadon.

Members attended a site visit prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion on this application.

Further issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

·  The site was within the town centre and conservation area.

·  Existing buildings would be demolished.

·  There would be removal of 13 trees to improve access arrangements.  There would be a further 25 trees planted and a landscaped buffer zone.

·  With regard to the demolition of the remaining part of the Westfield Mills building it was reported that the historic and visual importance had been diminished with previous development and demolition would only cause low level harm.

·  Materials from the mill building would be used for a boundary wall.

·  The application was recommended for approval.

The Panel heard from a local resident and a representative of the Airebrough Civic Society.  Issues raised included the following:

·  Concerns regarding highways and opening hours.

·  10.00 p.m. was too late.  The current operators of the site finished at 8.00 p.m. and the Morrisons store in the town centre closed at 9.00 p.m.

·  Customers would drive to the store and there would be an increased risk of accidents and to pedestrians.

·  Concern regarding the loss of a possible building.

·  A request that more of the stone from the mill building be used as part of any new building – it was reported that there would not be enough to do this.

·  The impact of another large food store on other traders within the town centre.

The applicant’s representative addressed the Panel.  The following issues were highlighted:

·  It would not be feasible to use the current building.

·  Amenity and highway measures had been thoroughly discussed and there would be a contribution for highway improvements.

·  The application had received considerable public support.

·  The provision of a new store would give increased food and shopping choice and would provide up to 50 new local jobs.

·  In response to questions from Members the following was discussed:

o  All the applicant’s stores elsewhere opened till 10.00 p.m. and some were closer to residential properties.

o  The applicant wanted to remain open till 10.00 p.m. as staff would still be present.  This was to provide a later service for customers.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  The nearby Morrisons store did not have a condition restricting hours of operation.

·  The proposals were felt to be appropriate for a town centre location and there was a 50 metre distance between the delivery bay and residential properties.

·  The applicant had provided traffic surveys of similar stores and it was felt that this one would have sufficient capacity.

RESOLVED – That the application be approved as per the officer recommendation and conditions outlined in the report and that condition 16 be amended to read 6 hours opening between 1000 hours and 1800 hours on a Sunday.