What’s going on behind long fence on busy junction near beauty spot?

A fence has been put up at a key junction in Cheltenham[1]. A development site has been shielded from public gaze at the junction of Leckhampton Road and Pilley Lane. It's not far from the foothills of Leckhampton Hill in Leckhampton and follows permission being given for a significant development at the former Suzuki garage site.

And it's all part of a long-running attempt by the Co-op[2] to relocate its Leckhampton store. At the moment, the convenience store is between two roundabout junctions where Leckhampton Road meets Church Road and where it meets Charlton Lane. There is only a small car park at the front of the store which is accessed over a wide pavement.

Plans by Boo Homes (Leckhampton Road) Ltd to demolish the former Wilkins Suzuki garage and redevelop the site have been approved.

In September, the Co-op was given permission by Cheltenham Borough Council[5] to move its store the short distance up the road to the old garage site. A previous attempt by the Co-op to demolish a neighbouring bungalow to improve the store was rejected by planners. The new plans will see Boo Homes (Leckhampton Road) Ltd demolish the former Wilkins Suzuki garage and build a new food store, eight one-bedroom apartments and our two bed flats and a couple of four bedroom houses.

Some 30 people objected to the proposals and an equal amount of letters in support of the scheme were sent to the council. It is understood that construction work has not yet started.

Martin Chandler, agent for the applicant, spoke in favour of the proposals at the planning meeting on September 21. He said the scheme presented the opportunity to produce a purpose built high quality convenience store that provides a generous parking arrangement.

"The proposal will eliminate the highway safety problems associated with the existing store and provide a bespoke facility that has been designed to be a good neighbour. The Co-op[6] are entirely committed to this proposal and recognise it is a hugely beneficial change to their local retail offer."

Dave Johnson, an objector, told the meeting at the Municipal Offices that the apartment block is out of scale and not in keeping with the character of Leckhampton Road. He said: "Many of us are not objecting to the redevelopment of the site or Co-op relocating there.

What we are objecting to is the current plan for the proposed buildings, size, mass and scale." Councillor Tony Oliver (LD, Warden Hill), who has lived in the area for 40 years, said the current site is a real problem for traffic and welcomed the new development. "I do have concerns.

Nothing is ever perfect. There will be consequences for the local community but I do think that overall the benefits outweigh the problems." Want our best stories with fewer ads and alerts when the biggest news stories drop?

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References

1. ^ Cheltenham (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
2. ^ Co-op (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
3. ^ MP hopeful says 'it's a fact' Cheltenham is better than Gloucester (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
4. ^ Pilot's heartstopping last seconds before plane crash landed near Cheltenham (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
5. ^ Cheltenham Borough Council (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
6. ^ Co-op (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
7. ^ iPhone (go.skimresources.com)
8. ^ Android (play.google.com)