Proposed Supermarket in Upper High Street - Public Meeting Report
July 18, 2005 12:05 PM
Supermarket proposed by Helical Bar
The latest Planning Application for Upper High Street, Epsom, proposes a Supermarket with four floors of car parking above, replacing Iceland, Allams, part of the car park, the toilets and three houses. This would be instead of the scheme with small shops and flats over them, already approved by an Inspector after being turned down by the Council.
The new scheme is being objected to by neighbours and those living opposite. It has excited a high level of interest and concern.
So that the public could have a fuller opportunity to express their views than is possible at the Planning Committee, a Public Meeting was been organised at the Town Hall on 30th June.
Planning Officers were invited to attend to listen to people's views and answer questions, but did not feel able to do so.
The Developers (Helical Bar) were also invited. Their agents displayed their plans and drawings in the Atrium and answered questions one-to-one, but declined the invitation to address the public meeting.
Some councillors were present to note people's views, but were unable to discuss the merits of the application prior to the formal meeting of the Planning Committee.
As requested by the residents who attended, the meeting chairman Paul Linscott subsequently wrote to the Planning Officers about the questions asked and the views expressed by members of the public. To read his letter see the link below.