Hatters Way Retail Park, Luton
Helical Retail Ltd
Out of centre retail park secured, call-in avoided and further permission for retail mezzanine space obtained.
The site had a long history of industrial and employment uses. The Local Plan allocated and protected it for B1, B2 and B8 uses as part of a wider business area.
A scheme was developed that both met the clients’ requirements for an 80,000ft2 retail scheme and provided an element of new B1, B2 and B8 employment floorspace that Council members were keen to see.
The merits of the scheme as promoted were sufficiently strong and well-justified that the Government Office did not call the application in. Furthermore, in response to our representations, the Local Plan Inspector agreed to remove the B1, B2 and B8 allocation of the land making subsequent changes or extensions easier to secure.
Such enhancements have included securing planning permission for 20,000ft² of mezzanine floorspace critical to securing initial occupiers. This has provided the basis for building out the scheme. However, faced with emerging town centre schemes and retail proposals as part of the regeneration of the Vauxhall plant, the officers initially recommended refusal of this addition on issues relating to a lack of retail need, the scale of the addition, the sequential approach and impact on the strategy for the town centre. A detailed response based on in-depth research into all these issues and a critical review of the Council’s position on the other emerging schemes, led officers to change their recommendation and support the proposal |
