Hundreds oppose plans for convenience store in Rainhill

Central England Co-operative’s application for the erection of a convenience store with parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure – on the land and passageway between 637 And 639 Warrington Road – will come before the planning committee next Tuesday.

According to a report to the committee, Central England Co-operative is “completely independent” from The Co-operative Group – which, “it has been noted”, operate a convenience store in Rainhill district centre – but it is “part of the wider co-operative movement”.

The application is recommended for approval, subject to conditions.

“The application site comprises vacant, brownfield land that is overgrown across most of the site,” says the report.

“The most recent use on the site was a care home, this building was demolished in 2013.

“The site is located within a predominantly residential area with access off Warrington Road.”

The store’s operating hours are proposed to be 7am to 10pm, seven days a week.

Since submission, the proposal has been amended. The amendments include reducing the height of the building from approximately 8.25 metres to 6.1 metres to allow the roof to be “more proportionate to the remainder of the building”.

Opposition to plans

The application was publicised by way of neighbour notification letters and a site notice.

A total of 215 letters of objection were received, and four letters of support were received.

The main points for the objections, as summarised in the report, include highway safety concerns, increased traffic “is not good” for the environment, “very out of place” in a residential area, the land should be used for “something which benefits the community”, and “taking business away from local stores that have great community benefits and are in more convenient locations”.

The main points in support, as summarised in the report, include that it will give the community “more options” for shopping, and a “better option for a general store, more stock than local store”.

'Boost to economy'

The report to the committee says the proposals will “boost” the local economy, “complementing” the existing retail offering in Rainhill whilst enabling residents to meet their day-to-day shopping needs.

It adds: “The proposed store will bolster Rainhill’s convenience provision.

“The new development will provide workflow to smaller local construction companies and associated contractors.

“There will be an opportunity for 20 staff to be employed at the convenience store which will provide an opportunity for local employability.

“Provision of the convenience store will increase the number of residents who would be within walking distance.

“The proposals will promote sustainable transport by enabling those residents within walking and cycling distance to meet their day-to-day shopping needs without having to use a vehicle.”