Plans for Littlehampton retail park including a McDonald's and Aldi recommended for refusal
Plans for a new retail park in Littlehampton, including an Aldi supermarket and Costa Coffee and McDonald's drive-thrus, have been recommended for refusal.
The hybrid application would see the vacant brownfield site between Kingley Gate and Morrisons, off New Courtwick Lane, redeveloped in two phases if approved.
Alongside the three retail units, the scheme includes up to 8,800sqm of light industrial space on the site north of the A259 in Wick.
Arun District Council (ADC) has recommended the application for refusal on drainage grounds, according to a planning report.
The authority said there is ‘insufficient evidence’ to show the development can be delivered without ‘leading to surface water runoff and increased flooding elsewhere’.
Despite the recommendation for refusal, the authority noted the proposal was otherwise ‘acceptable in principle and would deliver notable benefits’. However, the report said these benefits are ‘outweighed by the unresolved and fundamental concerns relating to drainage’.
The report added: "As such, the proposal is not considered to constitute sustainable development, and planning permission should be refused.”
Planning officers also said the scheme would have ‘a clear adverse impact’ on Littlehampton town centre – though they did not recommend refusal on those grounds.
The report states: “The assessment identifies a clear adverse impact on Littlehampton town centre, with convenience goods impacts in the order of approximately 12 to 14 per cent, and an overall turnover reduction of around seven to eight per cent.”
The report suggested the impact on nearby retailers could be reduced ‘to an acceptable level’ with mitigation measures, including ‘financial contributions towards a range of town centre improvement initiatives’.
The scheme received 39 objections, which listed concerns over an increase in traffic and noise, and an impact on biodiversity. It received six letters of support, citing new job opportunities and business expansion.
The planning committee is due to discuss the proposal on Wednesday, July 22.
For more information, see the report.