Independent planning consultancy DPP has secured planning permission on appeal for a replacement Tesco store at Wolverton, Milton Keynes, following more than two years of negotiations with Milton Keynes Council that resulted in refusal, and a Public Inquiry heard in November last year. The appeal was decided on 15 January 2010.
The permission allows Tesco to demolish the existing store and replace it with a larger store, measuring 150,000 square feet. The new store would be raised on stilts, bringing the trading floor to street level and allow for parking underneath.
The original planning application, made in November 2007, was refused in June 2009 with Milton Keynes Council claiming that it would have an unacceptable impact on Wolverton’s conservation area and on the town centre. Concerns were raised over the impact the new store would have on two neighbouring buildings – the former fire station and the former bath house – and on the wider conservation area.
Steve Arnold, a partner at DPP in Bedford who led the team, said: “This scheme was a complex one and involved almost two years of negotiation regarding the design of the store and testing its impact effects.
“However we successfully argued at the Public Inquiry that by raising the height of the trading floor to street level, the new store would be much better integrated with the town centre. Our firm’s dedicated heritage team were also able to demonstrate that the new store development would sympathetically incorporate the surrounding buildings and not harm the conservation area. The scheme would also help with the ongoing regeneration of this less affluent part of Milton Keynes and incorporates improved community facilities.”
The proposed Tesco store design retained the front facade, part of the side returns, and the roof form and rear gable of the old fire station. The bath house, whilst adjoining the new store was unaffected.
“We are particularly delighted with this decision being granted so close to the publication of the revised PPS4 (published 29 December 2009),” adds Steve. “Our appeal evidence addressed all of the key elements in the revised PPS well in advance of its final publication.”
The DPP team was led by partner Steve Arnold and assisted by principal planner Roger Welchman. Heritage advice was provided by DPP Heritage associate partner Gareth Jones.
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Pictures
Architects’ CGIs of the Tesco Wolverton scheme are available on request. Please contact Matt Baldwin at Coast Communications - 01233 503200 or matt@coastcommunications.co.uk.
About DPP
DPP is a top ten independent town planning consultancy providing strategic advice to the a range of clients. DPP's chartered planners, sustainability, heritage and design experts work with developers, landowners, business operators and public sector bodies, offering services relating to the development and use of land. The firm operates in all development sectors with a particular presence in residential, retail, regeneration, mixed uses, business and commercial. DPP is committed to maintaining the qualities that separate us from our competitors, as well as continuing to enhance our established reputation for providing high quality, efficient and cost-effective services while helping clients reach their planning and development objectives.
Clients of DPP include Bellway Homes Ltd, Caffé Nero, Centros, Domino's Pizza, English Heritage, Invensys, Liberty Properties, Liverpool Land Development Company, Mercian Developments, The Ministry of Justice, Shell International, Taylor Wimpey, Tesco, Unilever Pension Fund Trustees, United Utilities, the Watkin Jones Group and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Contact
Ceri Edwards, Redwood Consulting
Tel: 020 7828 5553
Email: ceri@redwoodconsulting.co.uk