Tesco has won planning permission to convert 8 Picardy Place into a Tesco Express on 3 floors (Issues 169–71+). Councillors followed officers' recommendations at the Committee meeting on 24 February, despite numerous objections by locals and politicians.
Opponents – especially those worried for the future of small independent traders in nearby streets – recognised they faced an uphill task as the property already had a retail licence. However, carefully couched arguments about loss of amenity and road safety were dismissed. In fact, said planners, amenity would be improved by the provision of external and internal measures which would enhance access.
Council officers said the plans would not harm the character or appearance of the conservation area. The current shopfront, they said, had no architectural or historic merit and its removal was therefore acceptable. Tesco had improved their original plan by making the doors more central, and the design and materials would ‘fit comfortably within the more historic surround’. The new shopfront ‘consists of full height glazing and will not have a significant visual impact on the building or the street scene in general.’ To the rear, Tesco’s amendments had reduced the extent of louvres, and retained more of the building’s original fabric.
The plans complied with the development plan and there were not compelling reasons to reject them.
In correspondence with City planners, Environmental Services had earlier expressed concerns that locals would complain about noise from a supermarket. They demanded assurances about the design, installation and operation of any plant, machinery or equipment. Opening hours and delivery times, they observed, were not in this case within the Council's control. However, a late hours catering licence would be required for Tesco to operate after 11pm. (CEC currently has a policy against against granting such licences as part of its bid to reduce disruption around Picardy Place.)
The Head of Planning will have to approve sample materials for the proposed new shopfront frame before work commences. Work on the development must begin within 3 years, although not before other necessary consents (e.g. listed building consent) have been achieved.
Council officers received 23 letters of representation about the scheme. Of these, 15 were objections; 2 were letters of comment; 5 were non-material; 1 was in support of the proposed building materials.
To view all plans, official papers and correspondence, visit: www.citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk, type in the Application number 09/00385/FUL and then follow the links to Associated Documents.