Wow, just finished one major job and another one pops up almost immediately.
A planning application has been submitted to redevelop the building currently occupied by Lightwater Homecare. The application plans can be viewed on the Surrey Heath Council website at Application 11/0104. Seems I should have asked more questions as there have been discussions between the Council planning department and the applicant for quite a few weeks.
I’ve done some digging, and it doesn’t take much effort to work out that this is a development for a Tesco Express store.
I’ve got some serious reading of planning documents and policies to do quickly, and lots of talking with residents.
Good Morning,
Ref this planning application. How do I object. The very last thing that overcrowded Lightwater village centre needs is another convenience store. Parking is a nightmare already and it will add to the congestion of local roads as even more vehicles try to access the centre.
Keith Hedges
0771 350 4952
By: Keith on March 29, 2011
at 9:57 am
This can’t be allowed to happen. We already have Budgens and an excellent butcher in the village (who’s business will be endangered by this development). The roads and parking are rubbish in lighwater already and other convenience stores are available in Bagshot (Sommerfield and M&S in the BP garage) and in West End (M&S in the BP garage). There is no need for the additional Tesco and it will kill Lightwater businesses and make the Guildford road so busy! Please write to the council and Michael Gove our MP
By: C R Clark on April 7, 2011
at 9:09 pm
I can’t work out how everyone seems to know that this is Tesco? They have sites in Camberley and Bracknell why would they want one in Lightwater? The planning only states that it is a retail unit – where has the Tesco rumour come from??
By: Caroline Atkins on April 9, 2011
at 12:32 am
Caroline – the rumours have been going round the village for a couple of years now.
The planning application (available on the http://www.surreyheath.gov.uk planning portal) has the applicant as being a property agent. A quick Google reveals that the agent in question is responsible for the development of Tesco Express stores around London and the south east.
Sure, it might *not* be Tesco – but add the chinese whispers around the village to the agent’s previous work with them and it seems to add up.
Tesco may have megastores in Bracknell and Camberley but they also like to cover their bases with Tesco Express ministores – like the one in Frimley. I think ideally they’d like to run everything!
By: Chris on April 9, 2011
at 9:53 am
After looking at the planning application and doing some research it is clear that this will no doubt be a Tesco Express after the planning application is approved. A friend of mine works with a large surveying firm and told me that the agent GL Hearn is a top london firm who acts on behalf of Tesco in many deals. It is clear that the landowner is either going to sell or lease the premises to Tesco after the planning application is approved. Once approved there is nothing anyone can do to stop Tesco trading from the retail unit. Which I believe is a slightly underhand technique. In addition to this if any of the big four supermarket chains arrive in the village it will have a detrimental effect on the quality of life. The planning application states the store could have “…3-5 delivery and service vehicles each day”. Imagine a truck unloading on what is already quite a busy junction?
Also should the redevelopment go ahead can you imagine the traffic construction will cause it will be horrendous.
I also belive that we currently have enough traders in the village, we have 2 newsagents (albeit could be classed more as a convience store), Budgens and a butcher. What could another trader such as Tesco bring us in reality. They may force a bit more competition in the village between the stores but its only a matter of time before they force these local traders out of business then we will have less choice than we have at present.
I strongly oppose this development and urge anyone else who does to write to the planning officer at Surrey Heath Borough Council to oppose it. I do understand that at the moment the planning applicatoin is in a personal name and it states no end user has been chosen to occupy the unit. However this is clearly a tactic to get teh plans approved. The agent being used does not deal with small individuals that often and I belive that a larger force (Tesco) is at work to get the plans approved. If you can’t write to the council feel free to sign the petition thats being done at George’s coffee shop and at Budgens.
By: James H on April 11, 2011
at 7:49 am
Also if you look at the email exchanges between the agent GL Hearn and the Planning Officer, the agent clearly asks about restrictions regarding “bulk products and food”. FOOD?! If anyone is in any doubt as to whether this is going to be a Tesco Express store please just google Tesco and GL Hearn and see for your self.
By: James H on April 11, 2011
at 8:04 am