MULTI-MILLION pound plans to build a Waitrose supermarket at the planned Wichelstowe District Centre have been recommended for approval ahead of Swindon Council’s planning committee next Tuesday.

The 3.5-hectare district centre site, in what will be Middle Wichel, is at fields off Peglars Way and Foxham Way. There is already outline permission for the site, which includes a convenience store of up to 2,500sqm net floor space and a car park with 250 spaces.

Swindon Council has entered into an agreement, subject to planning consent and a sale price being established, to sell the site to Waitrose, which would then develop the canal-front district centre, with its shop as the anchor store.

A planning application for the Waitrose foodstore, the first phase of the centre’s development, has now been recommended by the council’s planning officers for conditional approval – despite concerns from Wroughton Parish Council and some villagers.

Under the deal, the council would use the cash on infrastructure, including associated ecological clearance works, which will help the supermarket be built quickly, unlock immediate housing development for the first 200 homes in Middle Wichel and bring forward the district centre.

Wroughton Parish Council has objected on the grounds of design, transport, ecology and retail impact.

It says the supermarket would attract customers from a wider area and increase traffic, the transport and access plans are flawed, and the proposed building design is unimaginative. The council is also concerned about the impact of proposal and Regent Circus development on the small food stores in Old Town and Wroughton.

The council has, so far, received eight letters of objection from Wroughton residents, raising similar concerns, and three letters of support from East Wichel residents, who say that it would be an attractive well-needed facility for Wichelstowe and would be a catalyst for future development of the centre.

Council officers say the proposal would benefit Wichelstowe residents and the local economy, and would not have a material impact on the highways network or local shops.

It states: “Whilst the findings of the retail impact assessment did predict there would be an impact of eight per cent on the turnover of the Co-op in Old Town, it was not considered to have a detrimental impact on the overall vitality and viability of Old Town.

“The absence of a food store at this District Centre location would result in Wichelstowe residents being forced to travel further afield to meet their weekly convenience shopping needs, generating additional traffic on the highway network.”

BACKING FOR FLATS

Planning officers have also recommended for approval plans by McCarthy and Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd for a development of 24 retirement flats on land opposite the Blunsdon Arms.

The land earmarked for the development, off Lady Lane, is the area developers tried to build a fast food restaurant on several years ago but were stopped by residents and North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, who was a councillor for the area at the time.

There is also support from officers for an outline application, from Smiths Holdings, for the building of 12 homes, with alterations to existing access, service road and parking spaces, at the former Hertz Rent a Car facility, Hyde Road, Stratton St Margaret.

Officers say the proposed development is within the Hyde Road area, an extremely accessible location, well served by public transport and in close proximity tolocal shops, schools and facilities. They say the demolition of the existing buildings is appropriate to make way for a high density scheme that complements the existing mix of development in the area.

However, Stratton St Margaret Parish Council has objected, saying the proposal is premature to other developments that are being considered along Hyde Road, which will have an overall impact on the amount of traffic along Hyde Road.

Councillor John Haines (Conservative, St Margaret and South Marston) has also been approached by residents who have concerns about over-development and levels of traffic and access.