Purpose of this Consultation
Emery Planning will shortly be submitting a planning application on behalf of the owners of the Bay Leaf Lounge at 127 Wellington Road, Bollington for the demolition of the existing building and its replacement with a Sainsbury’s Local at ground floor and a restaurant operated by the Bay Leaf Lounge at first floor.
Emery Planning has been working alongside Allison Pike Architects and RSK Transport Consultants to create a high quality scheme which replicates the original architectural features of the existing building. The existing access and car parking arrangements would be improved.
This website provides details of the proposed development and seeks comments from the local community. This is an opportunity for you to provide us with your comments and inform the final scheme prior to the submission of a planning application.
A pre-application submission has been made to Cheshire East Council alongside this community consultation.
Site Context
The Bay Leaf Lounge is a detached two storey stone building situated on the frontage of the site with Wellington Road. The building lies within an identified existing shopping area in the Macclesfield Local Plan.
The front elevation has some attractive architectural features however, the building has been extended over the years with unattractive single storey extensions. The building has also suffered from a lack of maintenance for a considerable period of time and has been subject to fire damage; some areas are beyond repair. The building is energy inefficient.
The premises are currently occupied by the Bay Leaf Lounge, an Indian Restaurant at ground floor level; the first floor is semi-derelict and disused.
Vehicular access to the site is obtained along either side of the building, although both access points into the site are narrow. An informal one-way system operates in and out of the site.
The Proposal
The replacement building would be sited further back from the frontage and further northwards, to improve access. The new building has been designed so that the front elevation replicates the architectural character and features of the existing building. It is proposed that the existing materials would be re-used where possible.
The new building would accommodate the existing restaurant (A3 use) and storage for the retail use at first floor level with a new Sainsbury’s Local (A1 use) at ground floor level. The restaurant would have a separate entrance at street level with a staircase and a lift to the first floor.A spokesperson from Sainsbury’s said:
“We believe the new convenience store will bring forward a number of benefits for the local area including the creation of 20-25 new jobs, which we would seek to fill where possible from the local area. As a responsible retailer, we seek to play an active role in the local community, which includes promoting safer neighbourhoods. Each of our stores support a nominated local charity every year and Sainsbury’s also runs a nationwide Active Kids programme that helps invest sporting equipment for schools and local groups.”
The proposal provides an opportunity to improve the parking, access and service arrangements for the site. Car parking will continue to be provided for visitors to the vicinity, but this will be improved with new surfacing, marked car parking spaces and safer access/egress.
In terms of access, the existing northern access, which suffers from poor visibility in both directions, will be closed. The southern access will be amended to provide a consistent width (4.8m) access road to the rear car parking area. The access will be used predominantly by cars with an occasional delivery vehicle.
The servicing arrangements will be significantly improved as part of the proposals. The existing on-carriageway servicing and manoeuvres requiring vehicles to reverse into the access from Wellington Road will be replaced by a loading bay along the site frontage. The loading bay will be constructed in the same materials as the footway and be flush with it so that when not in use it can be used as a footway.
The proposed arrangements have been discussed with the highway officer at Cheshire East Council who has confirmed acceptance in principle.
Benefits of the Development
The proposed development would result in a number of benefits for the local community that would include:
- Provision of a new retail shop for the community that will add to existing consumer choice, provide employment and add to the economic vitality of the town whilst retaining the existing indian restaurant business.
- A high quality architectural design that replicates features from the existing building and re-uses existing materials blending with the modern design of the extension.
- An opportunity to make significant improvements to the existing access, servicing and car park arrangements by re-siting the building further back from Wellington Road and further northwards.
- A visual improvement for the whole site and a more sustainable building for the long-term.
Have your say
We would like your views on the proposals and request that all responses be returned by 24th July 2015. If you wish to discuss the project please contact us using the form below to send your feedback and comments, making sure that all of the required fields (*) are completed. If you do not want your name and address identifying you in our report on public consultation when we submit the planning application, then please let us know by ticking the privacy box below.