VIP TREATMENT COULD SEE UNIT BACK IN USE
Firm wants planning restrictions lifted to attract new tenant
PLANNING restrictions on a former carpet shop could be eased to help bring the building back into use.
VIP (Group) Limited has lodged an application to change the use of Unit 3 at Springfields Retail Park in Trent Vale which would allow all types of goods to be sold from the site.
The unit was previously occupied by Carpetright, which closed about four years ago, and it has remained vacant ever since. Its existing planning permission still restricts use of the building to the sale of bulky goods.
VIP Limited’s has also requested permission to revamp the shop fronts of the vacant unit, Pets at Home and Halfords as part of an ‘ongoing series of improvement works’. The other units at Springfields Retail Park are currently occupied by The Food Warehouse and B&M.
According to the planning application, there are ‘no sequential preferable sites or units within either Stoke town centre or Newcastle town centre’, meaning the proposals comply with planning policy. The application also states that the site benefits from ‘strong connectivity’ for people using private cars, as well as being in a ‘sustainable location’ for residents within walking or cycling distance.
The application states: “To conclude, the application proposals will encourage a currently vacant retail unit back into productive use, alongside the creation of a modern shopfront at an existing retail park and is in accordance with planning policy at local and national level.”
The proposed changes to the shop
fronts would see the removal of the existing steel and glass canopies, and the installation of new signs, lighting and cladding.
Planners at Stoke-on-trent City Council are due to make a decision on the application by June 29.