Proposed Regional Distribution Centre (RDC)
Full Planning Application by Kenmore Capital Portfolio Ltd
Application No S/2009/0794
Kenmore Capital Portfolio Ltd resubmitted on 8th June 2009, the proposed Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) planning application to Wiltshire Council.
The previous RDC application was recommended for approval by the Head of Development Services at the former District Council and Kenmore were disappointed that this recommendation was rejected which lead to the application being refused last year.
Having considered the reasons for refusal and the economic benefits which will flow from the RDC proposals, Kenmore strongly believe that the scheme will be an important asset not only to Solstice Park but also to the economic well-being of Amesbury and the wider area.
Over the last six months, additional work has been undertaken in response to the previous RDC application refusal reasons and this has enabled the proposals to be both modified and supported by additional information. These modifications have been incorporated into the revised proposals as set out below:
- There has been no change in the size of the RDC buildings.
- The RDC building on Plot 2 (nearest Beverly Hills Park and The Stonehenge Estate) has been relocated further away, which demonstrates that the proposals improve on the minimum British Standards required.
- The original noise and vibration surveys have been retested in liaison with the Council's Environmental Health Officer.
- The proposed offices serving the RDC building on Plot 2 have been extended to the west to screen views of the delivery yard from Beverly Hills Park and The Stonehenge Estate and now more importantly provide a sound screen.
- An "acoustic" fence to screen potential sound is included on the southern residential boundary to the satisfaction of the Council's Environmental Health Officer. The fence will also provide security.
- The proposed landscape planting on the southern residential boundary has been improved to enhance screening.
- The overall landscape planting strategy has been updated and further screen planting added.
- A lighting strategy report has been prepared which demonstrates that the light spillage is constrained and there are no serious adverse effects caused.
- Traffic flows and highway capacity have been reassessed and updated in full liaison with Wiltshire Council Highway Department and the Highways Agency. This demonstrates that the traffic flows will be less than anticipated in the Outline Planning Consent granted in 2000.
- The revised Traffic Assessment now includes details of the proposed traffic management measures on the road network (including Porton Road) which will restrict HGV movements on many local roads and introduce total HGV bans on other local roads i.e. London Road, Boscombe Road and Church Street.
- Additional information has been provided to explain in more detail what an RDC is, the diverse job opportunities created, and the additional "spin off" local jobs. Over a third of the jobs created could be in management and administration. This will have a positive economic benefit, particularly on Amesbury as it continues to grow.
- Further background information has been included on the promotion of Solstice Park for employment uses; market feedback by potential employers; the current market demand for RDC's and the availability of employment land, all of which help to support the economic benefits to Amesbury particularly in the current economic climate.
- The opportunity has been taken to revise and update reports for the Environmental Assessment, which accompanies and supports this RDC application. These explain that there are no problems with hydrology, drainage, air quality (taking into account the revised traffic assessment), waste and waste management and archaeology.
Many locals will recall the loss of some 600 jobs when the NAAFI closed and more recently, Gregory Transport vacated three local distribution sites again with the negative impact of job losses to the area. It is hoped that the proposed scheme will help reintroduce jobs and help to compensate for the former losses whilst boosting the local economy.
Mahle at High Post, is sadly in the process of closure with the loss of some 440 jobs, many local people will regrettably find themselves out of work as a result and are therefore keen for new job opportunities to be created locally.
At this stage there is not a named occupier; however, commercial enquiries for an RDC have been strong.
The application is accompanied by a schedule which deals, with each of the previous four refusal reasons and explains how they have been addressed. The Planning Statement draws together and comments on all aspects of the RDC proposals.
The planning application can be viewed at:- http://www.salisbury.gov.uk/planning/development-control/planning-applications.htm
Simply insert the application number S/2009/0794 into the box provided.
A set of the Application and Environmental Assessment documents are available to view at the Solstice Park Project Office during office hours and if you have any questions about the scheme, please do not hesitate to contact Cliff Whitley, Development Manager at Solstice Park or Martyn Smith, Planning Consultant, whose details are set out below.
Martyn Smith MRTPI
Partner - Pegasus Planning Group LLP
Pegasus House
Querns Business Centre
Whitworth Road
Cirencester
Glos
GL7 1RT
Direct: Dial 01285 888022
Main: 01285 641717
Fax: 01285 642348
Email: martyn.smith@ppg-llp.co.uk
Cliff Whitley
Solstice Park Project Office
16-18 The Boscombe Centre
Mills Way
Amesbury
Wiltshire
SP4 7SD
Main: 01980 676480
Fax: 01980 676485
Email: cliff.whitley@solsticepark.com
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