Tesco Express
Separate to their huge New Barnet regeneration scheme, Tesco have also made planning applications to redevelop the demolished and semi-derelict properties at 7 - 11 Victoria Road as a Tesco Express store.
The site adjoins Albert Road and is directly in front of the gas works site. It is likely that this is partly a 'spoiler' to frustrate a development by ASDA.
There is already a Tesco Express store approx 550m away in East Barnet Road. Conveniently, the documents attempting to justify the need for the shop only consider other stores within 500m of the proposal.
The creation of a loading bay for the store in Albert Road would involve the loss of 10 parking spaces, however the applications claim that there is "a significant surplus of on street parking spaces even at peak times".
In April 2009 a planning inspector decided that planning permision should be granted to build a Tesco Express at 7-11 Victoria Road.
Third Planning Application
5th November 2008
A 3rd planning application B/04138/08 was submitted for 7 - 11 Victoria Road. The details appear to be identical to the 2nd application.
Proposal:
"Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a three storey building plus basement level comprising of 392m2 of class A1 floorspace at ground floor and basement level and 2 No. residential flats at first and second floors."
151 objections were submitted to the planning department by local residents before the December deadline.
Second Planning Application
31st January 2008
A 2nd planning application N09569E/08 was submitted for 7 - 11 Victoria Road.
Proposal:
"Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a three storey building plus basement level comprising of 392m2 of class A1 floorspace at ground floor and basement level and 2No. residential flats at first and second floors."
A decision was expected by mid March 2008, but nothing seemed to happen for months. (see below)
13th October 2008
Tesco launched an appeal to the planning inspectorate over the non-determination of their application to Barnet Council for development N09569E/08 at 7 - 11 Victoria Road.
Summary details of case:
"Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a three storey building plus basement level comprising of 392m2 of class A1 floorspace at ground floor level and basement level and 2 no. residential flats at first and second floors."
Comments on the case were due by 24th November 2008.
The planning application was put before the Chipping Barnet Planning Committee on 18th November 2008.
The officers report recommended approval subject to S106, and included the following:
"The application has been under consideration for some time, as additional information was sought in relation to ventilation and air conditioning plant and discussions on hours of servicing/deliveries to the store. It had not proved possible to reach agreement with the applicant on this latter point.
Applicants have a right of appeal against the Council's failure to determine a planning application once the statutory time period for determining the application has passed. The applicant has exercised its right to appeal. Therefore, the decision-making power on this application has been taken away from the Council and now lies with the Planning Inspectorate.
However, the Local Planning Authority, must indicate what decision it would have made, had an appeal not been lodged.
It is also pointed out that subsequent to the lodging of the appeal, agreement has now been reached on servicing/delivery hours and all matters relating to the proposal have now been resolved satisfactorily."
Councillors voted to refuse this application, however the final decision is in the hands of an inspector. A planning inquiry took place on 17 - 18th March 2009.
The verdict of the planning inspector was published on 7th April 2009. He has ruled that planning permision should be GRANTED to build a Tesco Express at 7-11 Victoria Road.
First Planning Application
5th October 2007
A 1st planning application N09569D/07 was submitted for 7 - 11 Victoria Road.
Proposal:
"Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a three storey building plus basement level comprising of 392m2 of class A1 floorspace at ground floor and basement level and 4No. residential flats at first and second floors."
Refused 30th November 2007 for the following reasons:
"1. The proposed development would provide insufficient off-street parking provision to the detriment of highway and pedestrian safety and the free flow of traffic..."
"2. The proposed development, by reason of its size, bulk, mass, height, design and layout would have an overbearing and visually obtrusive impact upon the visual amenities of the occupiers of the upper floor residential unit at No. 5 Victoria Road and would be harmful to the character and appearance of the street scene and the general locality..."
