Plans have been refused for a new Premier store in Carisbrooke – because it would divert retail activity away from Newport Town Centre.
Car sales and motorbike repairs will still take place at the Sixers-owned Carisbrooke Garage, from one half of the building, but it was hoped a new convenience shop could open in the other part.
The Isle of Wight Council has rejected proposals from Mr Vinojan, of Ultra Stores Premier, to use an ‘underutilised’ part of the garage on Carisbrooke Road, Newport.
Officers from the planning department felt there were other sites, in the centre of or near to town, that would be better suited.
It had been hoped the shop would be open from 07:00 to 23:00 every day.
In planning documents submitted to the council, agent Norman White said a Premier on that site would serve a large housing estate and passing trade due to its location, as well as off-street parking.
The plans were first put forward last May but withdrawn after concerns were raised by the council’s planning department. They were re-submitted after a meeting with officials to see what could be rectified but the plans have since been turned down.
Officers refused the proposals earlier this week as they considered it had not been adequately demonstrated other alternative premises were not suitable for the proposed use, either within the town centre or on the outskirts.
In the decision notice, officers said:
“There are no exceptional circumstances which would justify allowing this specific use in the chosen location.
“Whilst an out-of-town site may be cheaper to rent, have lower rates, and be more accessible by car, these are not good reasons to divert retail activity away from a town centre where there are vacant shop units, to a less sustainable location.”
Officers also said the proposed area is already served by 2 convenience stores within 700m of the site, so there is no ‘deficiency’ to justify the store.
Cheaper rent and lower rates would be an advantage to the shop operator which in the present climate would have a knock on effect of helping to keep prices down and the the being more accesable by car would be a bonus for a lot of shoppers.
If you are one of the ‘Big’ names like Asda, Tesco or whoever you can build and operate a store out of town with no consideration to the High Street whatever, two sides to every story.
I totally agree about the big companies but ………having a shop on that road with the buses and school is a disaster, people are always just parking in front of the houses with there hazards on, the area is madness let alone with unaware idiots of the children being very unpredictable.
Why? People in northern Newport will benefit!
No the council have diverted retail from the town already with the crazy parking charges
But you allow the old Newport F C site to be new out of town retail outlets..Whether it ever comes to fruition.Carisbrooke Garage did have a retail shop with forecourt parking.At least our Sri Lankan friends put money into their businesses with shop refits and competitive pricing,
Talk about double standards as we await all of the building work to come on land opposite Asda. Surely that impacts on the town as well, but that gets the go ahead.
Shows how corrupt IOW council is, they allow St George’s football club development, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Lidl as well as Food warehouse etc so why not a small convenience store here ?????? Because?
Because there are already 2 within 700m, as the article states maybe?
What do planners know about commerce? It might be a perfect location to maximise trade, planners can’t judge what locations are best for commerce.
More than meets the eye.
Can’t force businesses into a town centre with high business costs, no shop parking access and dwindling shoppers. Market forces should decide not planners.
What retail activity in Newport, Newport Town is like a
Ghost town.
Exactly. Trying to get into Newport is an absolute joke. But if you went to a shop on this site, our fantastic council wouldn’t make any money in parking fees.
What a crazy council we have
Why would you want a small convenience store in the town centre? The clue is in the name. A convenience store serves customers in a local area who want to quickly pop in for something and specifically DON’T want to go into the town. There are already plenty of stores in the town centre offering the same service. The council were not worried about decimating our town centre when they granted planning applications to all the mainland chains and supermarkets.
Solution… bigger brown envelope needed
Hmmm, and of course nothing to do with the impending Tesco in the High Street either I presume?
I would strongly rcommend the applicant appeal this decision, the development may take away business from existing shops in newport,or you can have permission only if you take over one of the numerous empty premises that have gone bust because of exhorbitant business rates, well thats a new one and I cannot find it in planning law, are there any IOW councillors that have an interest in existing shops in the suurounding area that may be affected ?.
Haven’t the Clowcil realised that putting up parking charges is a major deterrent to shopping in Newport.
Perhaps they need to take Economics 101 and understand area under the curve!
The company should do some door knocking and get the residents in that area to personally comment about a new business
Council be like “No you cant take business away from Newport town……. that’s our job”
Is this a late April fool story?Are these council officers from a different planet?Build an Asda no problem open a home bargains no problem agree new Aldi at St George’s no problem what high street?Try to open a convenience store our survey says you will damage the high street which we have already f%ck%d up.Councillors and there work force all totally clueless.Try bunging them a few quid this might help change there mind.
Is that not the whole point of convenience stores, you don’t need to go into a town! Sounds like someone didn’t get a back-hander!
There are two within a 5 minute walk of this site.