New Co-op Supermarket on the Ropewalk, Southwell?

The Co-op are proposing to build a new supermarket on the Ropewalk, Southwell on the Beckett's site [former garage and rope making premises] subject to obtaining planning permission. Liberal Democrat councillors would welcome your views. Please complete the sheet and return it to one of your Focus Team at their addresses below, or put it in an envelope marked Liberal Democrat Focus Team and put it into the Bramley box in the Post Office. Your replies before the 25th July would be appreciated.

Some of the main arguments for and against the proposal are given here

For

A large store [9000 sq ft as compared to 2300 sq ft King Street store] offering larger stock and a greater variety of brands.

New 100 car parking spaces to be provided with the retention of the existing Co-op car park available for town shoppers.

Additional local jobs for local people.

Retention of 45% of the shopping trade in town, as opposed to the current 30% [Co-ops own figures], thereby improving the general trading position of existing town traders.

Possible adoption and improvement of Private Road at no public expense.

Ropewalk is the only remaining site close to town centre suitable for a large scale retail store.

The possibility of a well designed modern store in a landscaped setting in place of the present empty and run down buildings.

Against

Possible adverse effect on existing food retail shops and the general viability of the town centre. Will the distance between King Street and the possible new Co-op [estimated at 250m involving a walk through the existing car park and a residential area] deter shoppers from using both the town centre and the new Co-op on the same visit?

Difficulty in finding tenants for the existing King St store given the number of vacant shops already existing, and the danger of present store, when empty, becoming an eyesore in a prominent position in the town centre.

Additional traffic on Ropewalk which is already congested by parked cars and which may also take traffic from King St if the proposed one way scheme is implemented.

Possible adverse amenities of residential properties on Ropewalk, Private Road and Leeway Road.

Loss of designated housing land and the need to find alternative provision elsewhere in the town, almost inevitably on 'green field' locations.

If you want to make any representations to the Newark and Sherwood District who will decide the application. Please write to the Director of Planning, N&SDC, Freepost Kelham Hall, Newark Notts NG23 5BR. You do not need a stamp.

You can e-mail from here.

Chris Perrett
Director of Planning, Kelham Hall
E-Mail chris.perrett@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk

It would be helpful if you would send a copy of your letter to Southwell Town Council at Minster Chambers, Church St, Southwell NG25 ORD