STORE PLANS THROWN OUT
But applicant says there’s nowhere else
FAMILIES have won their fight to stop a former car workshop being transformed into a new shop.
Applicant Thevepalan Kanagaratnam applied to convert the workshop on Grafton Street, Northwood, into a new convenience store.
In a statement he said the operators could not find anywhere else in the local area where they could open the store.
The statement added: “The position of the unit is ideal to act as a local convenience store to residents.
“In the search for suitable premises the operators of 14 Grafton Street were not able to locate anything else within Northwood that would meet their requirement.”
The council received 10 objections from neighbours who were concerned about anti-social behaviour, parking, and the impact on existing businesses in the area.
Objector Kevin Hodges, of Hallfield Works in Festing Street, said: “A convenience store will increase the number of children and young adults to an area that is unsuitable, due to the dangerous nature of the road.
“The archway to Hallfield Works is opposite this property, with an enclosed archway which will encourage groups to congregate and create a hazard for existing business vehicles and potential anti-social behaviour for local residences outside of business hours.”
Neighbour David Whitfield, also of Festing Street, said: “I have grave concerns about the impact that the proposal would have on my business. I chose to operate from my location due to the need for vehicular access during the day by both LGV and HGV vehicles via Grafton Street.
“This can already sometimes be an issue due to how the existing residents sometimes park their vehicles.
“There is only just enough parking for the current residents, therefore, the addition of business parking for customers to the proposed shop on Grafton Street would make the access for vehicles to our unit more difficult if not impossible.”
City council planners accepted the application would bring another amenity to the area.
However the application was refused due to a lack of information regarding the impact the store would have on other businesses in the local area.
A council report stated: “The information submitted is insufficient to meet the test of the sequential assessment as contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.”