Issue - meetings

The Chairman introduced the first application of the evening, planning application number 142302, outline planning application for the demolition of a dwelling and associated outbuildings and to erect a retail food store building and a detached coffee shop drive thru building - access to be considered and not reserved for subsequent applications, on land off Gallamore Lane Middle Rasen Market Rasen. With no updates from the Officer, the Chairman invited the registered speaker, Mr Keith Nutter, to address the Committee. Mr Nutter made the following statement.

“I am speaking today as the applicant and developer who will be working in partnership with national operators to deliver a high quality but sensitive development in Market and Middle Rasen. 

In terms of the proposal as a whole, I think it is fair to say that our community consultation has shown that the prospect of a discount foodstore and coffee drive-thru being developed in Market Rasen has been well received and widely supported - excluding Tesco that is!  For those who would like more choice and competition, then this can only be viewed as a good thing. 

It’s common knowledge that some people within the catchment of Market Rasen travel significant distances to undertake food shopping trips, given the limited choice on offer locally.  Granted, some of these trips may have been combined with trips to work but since the pandemic there has been a considerable shift in shopping patterns.  Grocery operators have continued to trade strongly despite the restrictions placed on the retail sector.  However, people are certainly traveling less and with increases in the number of people working from home, a greater amount of trips are being undertaken locally.  Therefore, if a better offer can be provided within the local catchment of Market and Middle Rasen then this can only be beneficial to the wider community. 

Yes there will be some trade drawn from existing supermarkets including the Tesco and the Co-op but not to a significant level.  More importantly, those people who live locally but currently shop elsewhere will be encouraged to shop in Market Rasen which will create more sustainable shopping patterns whilst encouraging them to rediscover other facilities within the area.  It is evident that larger centres (such as Lincoln) have been disproportionately impacted by Covid–related restrictions and, as a consequence, there is a real opportunity for Market Rasen’s local shops to be rediscovered. 

It’s understandable that Tesco raise concerns about a new development that might take some trade from their store in the future, but your officer is absolutely right when he concludes that there is no sound planning policy basis to support or justify Tesco’s objection.  It is not the role of the planning system to intervene in commercial competition - but rather to direct development towards sustainable locations which do not result in any adverse impacts. 

On this matter, we have undertaken extensive searches throughout Market Rasen and the application site is the best located site sequentially, that is suitable, available and deliverable.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27