Following yesterday's post, the town councillor to whom I referred has been on the telephone. The councillor now thinks that the proposed Tesco petrol station & adjacent KFC will *not* go ahead.
The prospect did bring with it some interesting reader comments, yesterday. A few people even implied that this might be some sort of an April Fool!! Can you believe that? : )
This, then, rather puts planning issues into perspective. My mention of the Tesco petrol station clearly stated that there'd been no planning application. It now seems there's no likelihood of one. It only becomes a matter for the planning committee when there's actually an application, in outline or in full. It is therefore impossible to say what any decision might be. But were it to be refused, it would likely get go to a Caerdydd/Cardiff appeal. After all, Lôn Parcwr already has retail and food premises. And businesses that compete directly with those in town.
Is there a large enough town centre site available for KFC's needs, one that comes with sufficient parking to avoid the inevitable on-street chaos? One issue with the town centre shop stock is that generally it's too small or curiously shaped for modern day retail needs.
And, what does national planning guidance state about out of town developments? It predisposes towards them. Hence the successful Tesco expansion appeal.
Thank you all for being game enough to leave comments on yesterday's post.
The prospect did bring with it some interesting reader comments, yesterday. A few people even implied that this might be some sort of an April Fool!! Can you believe that? : )
"Don't forget Tesco already have permission to expand their store…[something that] was passed by DCC planning"Actually, they do and actually, it wasn't. The extension was squarely rejected by the planning committee. Tesco appealed to the assembly government and it was the government-appointed inspector who overturned the local decision. This was well documented at the time on this very blog.
This, then, rather puts planning issues into perspective. My mention of the Tesco petrol station clearly stated that there'd been no planning application. It now seems there's no likelihood of one. It only becomes a matter for the planning committee when there's actually an application, in outline or in full. It is therefore impossible to say what any decision might be. But were it to be refused, it would likely get go to a Caerdydd/Cardiff appeal. After all, Lôn Parcwr already has retail and food premises. And businesses that compete directly with those in town.
"Why can't DCC see that developing out of town only damages the town which is currently struggling"Look at it another way. *If* Rhuthun/Ruthin were to have another petrol station, where in town would it go? Even were a space available, is it desirable? Remember the queuing at the old Jet station till it closed in the early 1990s?
Is there a large enough town centre site available for KFC's needs, one that comes with sufficient parking to avoid the inevitable on-street chaos? One issue with the town centre shop stock is that generally it's too small or curiously shaped for modern day retail needs.
And, what does national planning guidance state about out of town developments? It predisposes towards them. Hence the successful Tesco expansion appeal.
"Talking of Ruthin eating places, the word on the street is that The Picture House is being sold or leased and will function as an Indian restaurant"The real word on the street is that this collapsed, some while ago.
"When I fancy one of their [KFC] meals I pop in to their branch in Rhuddlan."Seems a long way to go to get something you could find in and around town. I'm not sure I would describe the journey as a "pop" or a nip. That's a 30-mile round trip and more. But it does prove a point: this is probably the closest drive-thru we have and taking your car to a take-away is clearly important.
Thank you all for being game enough to leave comments on yesterday's post.