Stop development of a convenience store on Masons Arms site

A planning application was submitted on 30th March 2012 by the developer CDP Ltd to demolish the former Masons Arms public house, a local landmark, and re-develop the site to provide a convenience store.

The developer currently has planning permission to convert the former pub into residential accommodation, having won an appeal against the South Derbyshire District Council after the first development plans were rejected (source: Burton Mail)

We believe that this new planning application should be rejected under the following grounds:

A retail unit at this site, at a crossroads on the A511 main route between Ashby de la Zouch and Burton on Trent which services the town of Swadlincote, would cause considerable traffic disruption due to the number of vehicles entering and exiting the car park, particularly at peak commuting periods. The retail unit will also require service from delivery lorries.

Evidence of similar traffic disruption can be observed at the site of the Tesco Express store in Woodville High Street, approximately 1.25 miles up the A511 from the proposed development. The Planning and Retail Statement submitted by the developers states that this store was "not particularly busy" when they inspected the property. We would invite the developers to visit the site on a weekday between the hours of 16:30 and 18:30 to gauge a more accurate view of the store's popularity.

There are several established local businesses that already supply the "top up shopping" services for passing trade that developers cite as a benefit of this new development.

All three of these family-run businesses (Springfield News, Eureka Stores and Dunsmore Stores) are within 0.5 miles of the proposed development and would certainly lose trade if they were forced to compete with a national retailer.

These small businesses also provide services to the local community such as paper delivery (which provides employment for local youth), PayPoint for payment of utility bills, mobile phone top up and a delivery collection service.

It would be an appalling state of affairs if one of the families who live and work in these local shops were to lose their livelihoods and their home as a result of being forced out of business by this development.

For further information:

South Derbyshire District Council Planning Office
http://www.planning.south-derbys.gov.uk/ApplicationDetail.aspx?Ref=9/2012/0281

Burton Mail
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Plans-to-turn-derelict-pub-into-a-convenience-store-06042012.htm

This petition will be delivered to the South Derbyshire District Council Planning Office on 18th May 2012.