As my previous blog post mentions, there’s a planning application - 11/0104 - to redevelop the buildings occupied by Lightwater Homecare. It doesn’t take a great deal of digging to conclude that its eventual occupier will be a Tesco Express store.
I’ve spoken to a number of people, and as you might imagine, opinion is divided on the subject. Some look in horror at the prospect of a Tesco Express [reviews HERE] while others find no reason to object. I tried to create an online petition on Surrey Heath Borough Council’s website, but it specifically excludes petitions about planning applications. I’m not against competition, although I’d prefer to see additional retail variety, rather than a shop selling the same range as the existing supermarket and shops in the village.
I’m most uncomfortable with this application in many, many ways, not least the underhand way that it’s being developed. Why aren’t we allowed to know the name of the eventual occupier? What’s to hide? Anyway, as brief as I can be, here are my objections, worded as a petition:
“We, the undersigned, petition Surrey Heath Borough Council planning department to enforce on the developers of 89-91 Guildford Road to identify the eventual occupier; apply restrictions to hours and days of trading to protect the quality of life of nearby residential properties; obtain developer’s contribution to the local community[S106 money]; ensure the appearance respects the character and street scene; and to fund additional car parking spaces in the village.”
Ok, readers, whadda you think. Any changes you’d recommend, before I put this petition in everywhere in the village.
The biggest impact on Lightwater, is the unsocial opening hours, and the traffic resulting from employees, customers and delivery vehicles. I’ve looked hard at car parking in Lightwater, and have produced a 50 page report on the subject. Now’s the time when this comes into it’s own. The occupiers – if Tesco, can fund additional parking in the village, to the benefit of all businesses in Lightwater.
Dear Tim
Good luck with the petition. I would like to highlight the section 106 element. This is really important to those of us providing public services. Surrey Heath has a very poor (non-existent) record on collecting these monies from developers. Compare their track record with that of neighbouring Bracknell Forest and look how much better the general practice premises are in our neighbouring borough. Almost all of the modernisation of the general practice estate there has been paid for by developers. A few thousand pounds to developers is nothing but when spent on schools, surgeries, parks and other local amenities makes a substantial difference to the population.
Adrian Davis
Lightwater Surgery
By: Adrian Davis on March 31, 2011
at 9:19 am
My concern about having this Tescos in the village is that it would put Budgens and our lovely butchers out of business because there is no way that they could compete on prices with such a large chain. We currently have a real community spirit in the village and I would hate to see a large chain ruin that.
I’m not convinced that if Tescos were to plough money into Lightwater to provide extra parking etc that it would make up for our lost shops as a result of being unable to compete.
I for one shall miss the homeware store and will happily sign any petition to stop this Tescos store coming to our village.
By: Carole Jenkins on August 14, 2011
at 9:58 am