Plans to demolish old Gloucester Sainsbury’s to make way for 55 flats approved

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Revised plans to demolish a former Gloucester city centre Sainsbury’s supermarket to make way for 55 flats have been given the go-ahead.

Clarehouse Developments Ltd was granted permission by Gloucester City Council last night (April 2) to redevelop 63-69 Northgate Street.

Their proposals include three blocks of apartments, one of five storeys situated to the rear of Worcester Street properties, a four storey block fronting Northgate Street and a three storey building fronting Hare Lane.

Centrally the site will have a private landscaped open space and the site will include a 121sqm commercial unit at ground floor of the Northgate Street frontage.

This unit could be used for retail, as well as food and drink, financial and professional services, indoor sport and fitness, medical or health services or day nursery.

The development will only have two disabled parking bays. And officers said the “carless” scheme was, on balance, a good one and recommended approving it subject to conditions.

Will Collins, speaking on behalf of the applicant, spoke to the committee of the changes they made to the plans since the meeting in March when councillors deferred the proposals.

He told them the latest designs would ensure the Hare Lane side of the development would not look similar to the former Sainsbury’s.

The proposed change of use from a city centre supermarket to residential would lead to a significant reduction in vehicle movements, he added.

“An underused premises that does not make a positive contribution to the vitality and viability of the city centre would be removed,” he said.

“A reduction in overall footprint of the built form on the site.
“The proposal would introduce green landscape, open space in the heart of the city centre and the replacement of an inefficient out of date building with up to date ones which meet modern building regulations.”

He also said the development would provide £230,000 for infrastructure and contributions totalling more than £500,000 to education, open spaces and libraries.

Chairman Gordon Taylor (C, Abbeymead) said officers would look at the final drawings and decide whether they are good enough.

“I’m pleased to see the extra provision of housing and affordable housing on a completely brownfield site which needs repurposing,” he said.

“I have some reservations over the Hare Lane frontage but on balance I’m happy with it.” He proposed accepting the council officer’s recommendations and this was seconded by Cllr David Brown (LD, Hucclecote).

The committee voted to approve the scheme by nine votes in favour, one against and one abstention.

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk