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Permission has been granted for a major overhaul of the Marks & Spencer supermarket in St Martins which will see the petrol station demolished and replaced with a new extended retail unit.
Vehicle access will be changed, and the tarmacked car park extended into the gravel overspill area to increase the total to 130 marked vehicle bays at the eastern end of the site in line with the wishes of applicant West Quay Holding Ltd, a subsidiary of Creasey's.
The existing food store can also now be modernised, while the light industry manufacturing area to the rear of the shop can be changed to a storage area for the retailer. The retail floor space will be increased by approximately 70%.
The decision to remove the petrol pumps and canopy came as the owners found it to no longer be financially viable in the face of decreased sales, and the expensive specialist equipment being in need of replacement.
Planners attached 12 conditions to the scheme, including assurances on access, lighting, landscaping, the installation of solar panels, secure parking for bicycles, and limits on the retail floor area.
“Although there is already a strong convenience offering within the Local Centre the proposed convenience retail expansion proposed would not result in an over-provision of convenience retail,” The Planning Service said.
“The design and appearance of the extensions proposed represent a high standard of design that will respect the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.
There were no representations made regarding the application.
Traffic & Highways raised no objections during the consultation phase.
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