Sainsbury's Melksham expansion plans refused

8.13.00am GMT Fri 12th Mar 2010

An application by Sainsbury's to expand their Melksham store returned to the planning committee on Wednesday (10th March). The plans were for a 1,937 sq m extension with a bigger car park and a relocated petrol station.

Planning officers recommended permission despite objections from the town council and some residents. The concerns were mainly to do with the possibility of flooding, the impact on the ecology of the River Avon and surrounding areas, and the quality of the design. In response the planning officers have put on 34 conditions requiring detailed work to be done on drainage, archaeology, landscaping etc.

Whilst expanding the store Sainsbury's are, curiously, reducing the provision of toilets. Planners are suggesting they increase the number of male toilets.

Councillors first deferred the application at the February meeting to get more information on a number of items, including the possibility of flooding, disabled access to the new unmanned petrol station, toilet provision, and the necessity of barriers to prevent unauthorised night-time access to the car park. At the March planning meeting the application was refused.