Sainsbury’s Decision Deferred as Tillson Rails Against Supermarket Giant

Permission for a large Sainsbury’s supermarket with 267 parking spaces on the Smiths Medical site on Military road in Hythe was deferred at the Planning Control Committee meeting last night (Wednesday 20).

The application provoked lengthy debate with strong and differing opinions from councillors and members of the public. The meeting was repeatedly interrupted by heckling from members of the public opposed to the application.

Opposition has been more vocal and organised, even with a central website, DEVSTOP. Letters objecting to the development far outweigh those in favour. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and the Hythe Civic Society have raised objections. However, some councillors inferred that the ‘silent majority’ wanted the development to go ahead.

The main discussion points were the effect on high street shops and on local residents living close to the site.

Chamber Council of Commerce Chief Executive Mr Peter Hobbs spoke in support of the application. Saying “town centre footfall will increase dramatically,” Mr Hobbs was met with jeers from the gallery. Mr B Moore, speaking on behalf of the applicant said “We want to be part of the local community,” “the majority [of people in Hythe] shop elsewhere, we want to draw people back to the town,” provoking further jeers.

Local resident Mrs Claire Massey, who lives in Military terrace next to the Smiths Medical site, expressed concern that the large number of HGV deliveries, up to 15 per day, would cause noise vibrations and stress for local residents.

Concerns were also raised that the development would not be in keeping with the surrounding area. Interestingly, a slide showing a computer generated image of the site appeared to show Military terrace significantly higher than in reality, which drew further jeers.

In the ensuing committee debate members repeatedly disagreed on many points. Conservative Cllr Tillson nailed his colours to the mast early, saying “I’m from New Romney. We have a Sainsbury’s and it has had a deleterious effect on our high street.”

Cllr Tillson continued to object to the development throughout the meeting. He later quoted research from Cambridge University showing that money spent in local shops is on average re-spent 3 times over in the local area, whereas ninety percent of money spent in supermarket chains leaves the local area immediately. Criticising the report accompanying the application, Cllr Tillson noted “I can find specific statistics for job creation, but couldn’t find any for job losses.”

Speaking on the issue of Sainsbury’s promoting link visits to the town centre, Cllr. Tillson poured scorn on the suggestion Sainsbury’s would do this effectively. Having been told similar promotional conditions were in place with the New Romney store, Cllr. Tillson scoffed “unless I missed it, I don’t know of any promotion. If there was a condition it sounds like it is being breached.”

Other councillors, including fellow Conservatives, did not agree. Conservative Cllr Goddard said “I never went to New Romney before the Sainsbury’s was built. It hasn’t done too much damage to New Romney.” Conservative Cllr Monk also disagreed, saying Cllr Tillson “was making points about the arrival of a supermarket in town – we already have three supermarkets in town.”

Liberal Democrat Cllr Matthews spoke in favour of the application, saying “Many local residents want this store.” Citing statistics contained in the council report that 64% of Hythe residents shop outside the town, Cllr Matthews said the supermarket would help to keep people shopping in the town, and the number of jobs created would offset the number lost.

After well over one hour of discussion, an attempt to approve the application with altered conditions for deliveries to the site was not passed. After suggestions that the supermarket be moved to the West of the site to minimise the impact on residents, a decision to defer the application and ask for changes was passed.

Speaking after the meeting David Plumstead, who helps to organise opposition to the proposal, cast doubts on the statistics used in the council report and by Cllr Matthews, claiming they had no backing and were “smoke and mirrors”. He vowed to continue to fight the application.

DEVSTOP – against the development - http://www.devstop.org.uk/
Application Y09/0627/SH - http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/findCaseFile.do?appNumber=Y09%2F0627%2FSH&action=Search