Plans for new garden centre near M5 approved
PLANS for a new garden centre by the M5 have been given the go-ahead despite concerns from the council.
Approval has been granted by Tewkesbury Borough Council for a garden centre to be built on Ashchurch Road in Tewkesbury, just south of the A46.
Plans for the centre include a shop, a food hall, a restaurant/cafe and a soft play area, as well as an outdoor play and seating area.
It would be another garden centre for the area, which already has Tewkesbury Garden Centre just over a mile away on Worcester Road.
»
Proposed plans were given the green light on May 17, despite concerns from the town council that the plans could impact drainage in the area.
The town council objected on the grounds that the proposed location of the centre, near Tirle Brook, is prone to flooding and the centre could potentially worsen the drainage of the area.
In an objection comment, the Tewkesbury Town Council said: “The Town Council wishes to have a greater understanding of how the development will impact on drainage and particularly the undercurrent that runs under the M5. which is a longdistance public footpath sometimes used by children. It is important that the proposed layout and scale of the development will not have significant negative externalities that would put local people and properties at risk.”
This was one of the concerns amongst others, such as pedestrian access in the car park and doubts over evidence that the car parking spaces “actually work”, as well as requirements for more parking for cyclists.
The plans were first submitted in August last year and have since gone through several reassessments and revised plans have been made to accommodate objections to the plans.
However, even as they eventually rescinded their objection, the town council said their concerns over flooding remain.
A follow-up comment on the plans read: “While the council still has reservations regarding flood mitigation measures on the sight in the light of changing circumstances, it notes that the Lead Flood Authority does not share them.
“Therefore the Town Council withdraws its objection.”
With approval granted, the plans will now go ahead for the garden centre.