Tesco likely to get go-ahead for Felpham branch

The retail giant's proposal for a Tesco Express convenience store with a 1m-plus annual turnover to replace a car showroom is being recommended for approval.

Arun District Council's development control committee will make the decision on Wednesday, February 25.

The scheme has been widely criticised by nearby shopkeepers, residents and councillors. Four post masters joined together last year to oppose it.

Opposition to the proposals has also come from Felpham and Middleton parish councillors and the Middleton-on-Sea Association.

Their protests concern the store's effect on the surrounding roads and on local shops. Both councils believe some traders will have to close.

In addition, 89 letters of objection from individuals opposing the store have also been received by Arun along with ten letters of support.

They fear its impact on existing shops and on the busy road network around the intended site at the junction of the A259 Felpham Way and Middleton Road.

But a district council planning officer, Keith Wheway, says the store should be allowed to open between 7am and 11pm every day.

In a report to the committee, he says county council highway officers believe the store will not cause problems for drivers and pedestrians. It is estimated the peak traffic flow to the branch will be 47 vehicles arriving and 48 leaving.

He writes: "The existing access would be closed and two new accesses created to the east and west of the site, the one to the east being a 'left out' only. It is considered by the county surveyor that this arrangement will work satisfactorily."

The 16 car parking spaces intended for the site were also thought to be sufficient and adequate turning room would be provided for delivery lorries.

Mr Wheway says he believes there is plenty of spending in the area to enable a new store to be created without affecting existing businesses.

He has closely examined a survey by Tesco's consultants on spending patterns and found it to be correct. This estimates that top up shopping is worth 2.57m a year in the walking boundary around the store.

Assuming the existing stores of Londis, Spar and Co-op net just over 1m, that leaves 1.52m for the new Tesco and its 15-20 staff. Its sales floor space of 265sq m would indicate a turnover of 1.33m to mean there is plenty of scope for it.

The store will also fit into the area next to King George V playing field.

"The proposed design of the building is flat roofed and single storey, constructed in mushroom coloured metal panels, and replaces a single storey building with a corrugated pitched roof.

"A white fascia panel will be incorporated along the front elevation and the shop front will comprise glazing and automatic sliding doors," he continues.

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