Looe Co-op store plans face concerns over estate impact

It has been recommended for approval by Cornwall Council planning officers. However, the application will come before a meeting of the council’s east area planning committee on Monday (October 26) due to concerns raised by Mark Gibbons, the councillor for the area. He said: “I object to this application because it raises significant planning matters and issues of environmental, social and economic significance.

“Kimlers Way forms part of the Barratt-built estate, one of Looe’s largest residential areas, home to many families and a high number of children. The proposed store’s only vehicle access would be through the estate, past existing homes. Its effects would therefore be experienced both by immediate neighbours and by residents along its access route.

“My principal concern is whether a convenience store operating from 7am to 11pm every day, including Sundays and bank holidays, would adequately protect those residents. The application also raises material concerns about the previous permissions relied upon, delivery and pedestrian safety, lighting, drainage, safeguarded employment land, retail policy, landscaping and ecology.”

He added: “Residents would experience customer traffic, vehicle doors and starting engines, deliveries, reversing warnings, unloading and cage movements, waste collections, plant noise and lighting in combination.

“I acknowledge that the noise impact assessment considers plant, customer vehicles and deliveries and predicts acceptable levels. Nevertheless, members must make a planning judgement about the frequency, character and duration of the whole operation beside homes and gardens, particularly during evenings and Sundays.”

Looe Town Council has also raised concerns.

Cornwall Council’s highways development manager has no objection subject to a condition for parking/turning. The officer does not believe vehicle trips to the store will add to traffic in the area.

A planning officer report states: “The proposal would result in the loss of part of a site safeguarded for employment development. This conflict is a material consideration and must be weighed carefully, given the identified need to retain non-tourism-based employment opportunities in Looe.

“However, the evidence of limited market interest, the period during which the wider site has remained undeveloped, the employment opportunities that would be created by the proposed retail use and the continued availability of the remainder of the site for employment development weigh in favour of the proposal.

“The proposal is otherwise considered acceptable in terms of town centre vitality and viability, design and landscape impact, residential amenity and highway safety. Subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions to secure acceptable lighting, operating and delivery hours, drainage and biodiversity mitigation, no overriding environmental or amenity harm has been identified.”