Lidl, KFC, Home Bargains and Starbucks retail park in Camborne meets opposition after Cornwall Council recommends alternate sites

It is hoped the site at Roseworthy Hill will open in 2019

Plans to build a huge retail park which would include KFC, Home Bargains, Starbucks and Lidl on the outskirts of Camborne have been thrust back into the spotlight after Cornwall Council issued a reponse recommending alternate sites instead.

In November Cornwall Live reported how a request for pre-application advice for the development of the site at Roseworthy Hill has been made to Cornwall Council, signifying the first steps on the road to the potential opening of the development.

The proposed mixed-use scheme comprises a retail and several drive-through units, with associated parking, access and landscaping arrangements.

The land is just west of the Trevithick Inn, towards the village of Kehelland, just off the A30.

The plans have been put forward by Quora (Camborne) Ltd.

In its pre-application letter Quora states that the development would comprise a 1,394 square metre Home Bargains retail unit, two 465 square metre non-food retail units, a 1,982 square metre Lidl food store, a 170 square metre Starbucks drive-through coffee shop, a 140 square metre Subway drive-through unit and an unnamed 295 square metre drive-through unit.

Although KFC is not named in the application, it can clearly be identified on the computer generated image attached to the documents submitted to Cornwall Council.

Quora (Camborne) Ltd has received a mixed response from Cornwall Council’s principal development officer, Chantal McLennan, after requesting pre-application advice.

She questioned the appropriateness of the site and suggested that Fair Meadow, Redruth, Camborne Bus Depot, Gas Street, Camborne or the old Lidl site at North Roskear Road, Tuckingmill be used instead.

She said in her conclusion: “It is recognised the scheme would provide both short-term and long-term economic benefits for local people, including approximately 160 permanent jobs and 200 construction jobs.

“However, a core planning principle is that planning decisions should be genuinely plan led and assessed against the development plan policies and any other material considerations. I am of the opinion the proposal would be contrary to the Cornwall Local Plan with specific reference to policy three that requires the delivery of retail to be in main towns and managed through site allocations in order to ensure that growth is genuinely plan-led.

“Due to the site’s location, I am therefore unable to support the proposal in its current form.”

Cornwall Councillor Dave Biggs, writing to Quora (Camborne) Ltd’s Alex Wilson, said: "In the local discussions I have already had I can find no support for your pre-application plan but there is a need and an opportunity for retail growth within Camborne and I would be happy to discuss that with you and other interested parties."

It is expected that Quora (Camborne) Ltd will now progress with a full application for planning permission which Cornwall Council will then rule on.

via http://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/lidl-confirms-new-kfc-hom...