Wickes Site Development for Supermarket

Published: 29/08/2024

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Comment by the Hertford Civic Society on the proposal

Unit 1 Madford Retail Park Ware Road Hertford Hertfordshire SG13 7RQ

Whilst we appreciate the access road to this site is not under the control of Hertfordshire County Council we have concerns about large supermarket lorries accessing the site. 

See link at for uptodate comments

https://publicaccess.eastherts.gov.uk/online-applications/

Application Number: 3/24/1507/FUL

Address: Unit 1 Madford Retail Park Ware Road Hertford Hertfordshire SG13 7RQ

Proposal: Extension of Unit 1 and external works to the front, rear and north elevation of the unit to facilitate its use as a Class E(a) food store, provision of a trolley bay and other associated works.

Case Officer: Elizabeth Oswick

Comment Details

Commenter Type: Amenity Group

Stance: Customer objects to the Planning Application

Comment Reasons:

Comment from Hertford Civic Society

Whilst we appreciate the access road to this site is not under the control of Hertfordshire County Council we have concerns about large supermarket lorries accessing the site as there are already issues due to it's design and vehicles being parked around the entrance causing conflict between vehicles entering and leaving resulting in traffic backing up onto the Ware Road. We would recommend that the site owner be encouraged to address this issue - parking around the entrance being restricted or           prohibited during the hours that deliveries are made as a minimum. It is                   also difficult for pedestrians to navigate crossing the access road at it's junction with Ware Road. The road has at times been badly maintained and flooding has occurred although some of this has been recently addressed.

Although retail choice is not a planning consideration unfortunately we note the widespread concern being expressed at the potential loss of Wickes to our town as it will lead to more car journeys to other towns to buy similar items eg to Harlow, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City. The current store being adjacent to a large residential population enables residents to walk to purchase smaller items or to drive by car only a small distance. We are also aware that numerous local trademen/women utilise this store for materials whilst working in the local area. Residents feel that we are already well catered for in terms of food stores eg Tesco, Sainsbury, Aldi, M&S food store and multiple mini mart type shops. The loss of Wickes would be keenly felt so on balance HCS feels that it needs to object to this application as it is not in the best interests of the town.

 

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