Raised car park at Bognor Regis store approved despite objections
Plans to build a raised car park at Tesco in Bognor Regis have been approved despite objections from council drainage specialists.
The proposals will see a raised parking deck built above part of the existing car park at the supermarket on Shripney Road. This will allow customers to park when the site floods.
The store is located next to the Aldingbourne Rife and, as a result, part of its car park can flood when water levels rise.
The new parking deck will add 191 spaces, including 22 disabled bays and 18 labelled as parent-and-child.
However, the overall number of spaces at the store will fall from 504 to 464, a total reduction of 40.
The plans also include changes to the site’s drainage system, with a new outlet into the Aldingbourne Rife and 36 new trees.
West Sussex County Council’s Lead Local Flood Authority and Arun District Council’s drainage engineers maintained their objections to the plans over concerns that they did not meet national standards for sustainable drainage.
The Lead Local Flood Authority requested further evidence that the development would not cause flooding during heavy rainfall and Arun’s engineers raised concerns about the arrangements of the drainage system and its long-term maintenance.
The Environment Agency, which originally objected to the plans, withdrew its objection after more information was provided.
Planning officers recommended approval, saying that the addition to the car park would improve the existing drainage system by reducing the rate water is discharged into the river.
They acknowledged that the plans did not meet all national standards for drainage but said the improvements and benefits of keeping the store accessible during flooding meant an exception could be made.
Eight objections from local residents were received raising concerns over, the potential for increased flooding at nearby businesses, the adequacy of the flood risk assessment and the loss of sunlight to neighbouring properties.
One letter of support said the plans were necessary to help the store continue operating during flooding and protect jobs.
The approval of the development is subject to conditions, which include requiring Tesco to provide detailed drainage plans and show how any loss of space for storing floodwater will be compensated for before construction can begin.