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| 76 Burnley Road |
A proposal to replace a vehicle repair workshop with a Co-operative food store opposite the Burnley Road entrance to Dollis Hill Station has divided local residents. Brent Council planners have recommended rejection of the application:
In contrast to Brent Council's advocacy of the retails jobs provided at the London Designer Outlet at Wembley Stadium, Planning Officers state:
With regards to on-site employment, the Applicant has submitted information stating that there would be a net increase in employment on the site as a result of the proposal. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Employment Densities Guide (2010) sets out that Use Class B2 (General Industry) requires 36sqm floorspace per employee. This equates to a capacity, for the existing use, of approximately 8 employees, whereas the proposed retail store could create 20-25 jobs. It must be noted, however, that up to 20 of these employees for the retail unit are proposed to be ‘part time’ employees. Furthermore, your officers consider that the jobs associated with defined employment uses are more likely to be skilled jobs than those associated with a retail use. Therefore, whilst acknowledging there would be a net increase in employment on the site, your officers conclude that an employment use has a greater beneficial impact on employment, with higher skilled personnel with the potential of apprentice schemes, than the proposed retail use.
Petitions both for and against the proposal have been submitted as well as individual comments. The majority are against:
Against
35 comments
Petition Against - The second was an organised petition from 680 addresses with 992 signatures - including 175 signatures that did not have a full address. The objections are that the introduction of the local convenience store will damage the local shops and their business.
Your officers are also aware of a change.org petition against the proposal titled Help Protect Our Shops, with 103 objectors, on the grounds that the Council should support local community stores
For
5 commentsPetition For 1)- Petition consisting of approximately 95 names. Many of these did not have full addresses. The generic supporting reason was the positive addition of a convenience store on Burnley Road.Petition For 2) 5 individuals from 5 different addresses who support the application based on new jobs and groceries at fair prices.
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A number of councillors called in the proposal so that it would be decided by the Planning Committee rather than by officers and their reasons varied:
Councillor Harrison
Date and Reason for Request
17/04/2016
Details of any representations received
We understand that the Co-operative Group proposals will result in the employment of 20-25 people with priority given to recruitment in the local area.
Name of Councillor
Councillor Nerva
Date and Reason for Request
17/04/2016
Details of any representations received
We understand that the Co-operative Group proposals will result in the employment of 20-25 people with priority given to recruitment in the local area.
Name of Councillor
Councillor Collier
Date and Reason for Request
18/04/2016
Details of any representations received
We understand that the Co-operative Group proposals will result in the employment of 20-25 people with priority given to recruitment in the local area.
Name of Councillor
Councillor Shahzad
Date and Reason for Request
20/04/2016
Details of any representations received
Should be heard at Committee so residences can expressed their views to the committee.
Name of Councillor
Councillor Hirani
Date and Reason for Request
22/04/2016
Details of any representations received
Concerned about the impact on local independent shops;
Concerns with the increase of traffic and spaces for loading vehicles.
Name of Councillor Councillor Choudry
Date and Reason for Request
22/04/2016
Details of any representations received
Concerned about the impact on local independent shops;
Concerns with the increase of traffic and spaces for loading vehicles.
Name of Councillor Councillor Patel
Date and Reason for Request 20/04/2016
Details of any representations received
Request that the application be discussed and decided by the Planning Committee only.
Any person wishing to inspect the above papers should contact Robert Reeds, Planning and Regeneration, Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ, Tel. No. 020 8937 6726