A new convenience store in Skegness could be run by Tesco – the owners have confirmed.
East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead to Punch Tavern’s plans for land next to the Welcome Inn, off Burgh Old Road, on Thursday.
The store will have a gross internal floor area of 372sqm, and the plans will see the reorganisation of existing parking to elsewhere on the site with an additional 39 spaces created for a total of 78 across the whole site.
The proposals include three footpath routes across the site designed to encourage pedestrians to use them.
Jeremy Heppell, speaking on behalf of Punch Taverns said: “This conveniencestorewillassistresidentsinthewesternpartofthetowntomoreeasilymeettheirdaytodayshoppingneeds.”
“Theproposalwillprovideavaluableservicetothelocalcommunity,ensuringresidentsdon’thavetotravelfurtherafield,” he added.
In response to councillors questions he confirmed that Tesco would be the “likely operators” of the store.
“Wedeliberatelyhaven’tputthenameofthestoreoperatorintheapplication,becauseit’saconveniencestoreandcouldbeoperatedbyanybody butsinceyou’veaskedthequestion,currentlyTescoarethekeyoperator, sonotanother Spar,” he said.
He said the Welcome Inn would be retained in its entirety and continue to provide the same services as it currently does.
The store will be built next to the Welcome Inn. | Image: Google Streetview
The application had received objections from Skegness Town Council and 22 local residents due to concerns around overdevelopment of the site.
Councillor Mark Dannatt said: “Thiscausedalotofalotofphonecallsandanddistresstoalotofresidentsinthetown.”
He said the junction was “absolutely dreadful” and “very hard” to enter and visibility was difficult with overgrown plants.
He also noted traffic issues when other nearby shops were taking deliveries.
“We would lose some services in that area,” he added, raising concerns over the nearby Post Office and parcel service.
Elevation plans for the store.
Other concerns include the number of already existing shops, the danger to children in pub grounds, overcrowding of vehicles , drainage and restricted visibility due to the site.
Councillor Billy Brookes was familiar with the area and said the pub already put pressure on the area.
He added concerns that delivery times could conflict with school pick-up and drop off.
Noting the objections, he said: “I don’t think that people want it, I don’t think people be able to cope with it, to be honest, it’s a massive over-intensification of the area.”
However, other councillors felt there were no viable planning reasons to object to the application and it was approved by six votes to one with one further abstention.
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