| Update 18 Jun 10 This web page provides
background information about the possible opening of
a Tesco store in Pitshanger Lane, together with
guidance for potential objectors.
As of June 2010,
Explore Learning, a provider of Maths and
English tuition for 5 to 14 year olds, plan to open
a new branch in the former Robert Dyas premises
(113-115 Pitshanger Lane). Explore Learning’s move
into Pitshanger Lane depends on Ealing Council
agreeing to a change of the “use class” of these
premises from retail to non-retail. The decision on
this is expected at a meeting of the Council’s
Planning Committee on 30 Jun 10. Explore Learning
are understood to have an agreement with the
Landlord that the Landlord will not entertain other
offers on the lease while planning consent is
outstanding.
If the planning decision goes against Explore
Learning or, conceivably, if the planning decision
is delayed for too long, it would be open for others
to make offers for the lease. Tesco are known to
have shown an interest in these premises. As a
retailer potentially moving into a designated retail
premises, Tesco could open without the need for
planning permission, although they might need to
apply for longer opening hours and would need to
apply for a licence to sell alcohol.
Prompted by a groundswell of concern about the
potential opening of a Tesco store in Pitshanger
Lane, the PCA held a public meeting on 17 Jun 10.
The vast majority of the approx 225 attendees were
against Tesco. The following advice is offered,
based on discussions at the public meeting:
|
To support Explore
Learning’s planning application (thought
by many to be the best short-term defence
against Tesco), contact Ealing Council’s
planning department at Planning Services, PO
Box 14941, London W5 2YP, or e-mail
planning@ealing.gov.uk. The planning
application has reference number
PP/2010/0622 and is entitled “Change of use
from retail unit (Use Class A1) to Childrens
Education Learning Centre (Use Class D1)”.
Details of the application can be found on
the Council web site
here.
You could also consider
forwarding your letter or e-mail to the
members of the Council Planning Committee,
whose contact details can be found on the
Council web site.
The feeling at the public
meeting was generally in favour of Explore
Learning due to their community based agenda
and the potential for increased footfall at
other shops in Pitshanger Lane. |
|
To object to the
potential opening of a Tesco store in
Pitshanger Lane there are two possible
avenues for the time being:
1) Contact the Landlord,
Classville Limited, New Burlington House,
1075 Finchley Road, London, NW11 0PU.
2) Contact Tesco at Tesco
PLC, New Tesco House, Delamare Road,
Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, EN8 9SL.
The wording of any
objection is best left to the individual
objector, but a useful theme to develop is
that a Tesco store in Pitshanger Lane would
be subject to strong local resistance and a
possible boycott.
For now, there is no point
sending an objection to Ealing Council as
Tesco do not have any pending planning
applications for the former Robert Dyas
premises. The Cleveland Ward Councillors and
MP Steve Pound attended the public meeting
and are well aware of local opinion. |
Update 21 Jun 10: The Planning Officer's
report on the Explore Learning planning application
recommends approval. The report is available
for download from the Council web site. Update 25 Jun 10: The PCA
Committee has applied for a slot to speak in support
of the Explore Learning planning application at the
meeting of the Council Planning Committee on 30 Jun
10. This was initially granted but later
withdrawn. The one available speaking slot
(for members of the public) has been allocated
instead to a local resident who will speak against
the planning application on grounds of
traffic/parking impact. Explore Learning will
have an opportunity at the meeting to reply to the
objection. Update 30 Jun 10: The Council
Planning Committee granted the application by
Explore Learning for change of use from A1 to D1.
One extra condition was imposed, beyond those
recommended by the Planning Officer, namely that the
use of the premises should be limited to D1
Education only. This protects the Lane
against other potentially unwanted D1 uses in the
future, for instance a place of worship. One
objector spoke against the proposal, and a
representative of Explore Learning replied.
After a good deal of discussion, planning permission
was granted with no Councillors voting against.
Update 12 Jul 10: The PCA has received
an e-mail confirmation from Explore Learning that
they have successfully concluded their negotiations
with the landlord of 113 Pitshanger Lane. Explore
Learning's project manager has started work on
planning the fit-out of the premises and, subject to
approval by Ealing Council of their travel plan,
Explore Learning hope to open ready for the new
school year. Posters should appear in the shop later
this week with further information from Explore
Learning.
Update 27 Jul 10: Explore Learning have
put up some posters in the windows of the former
Robert Dyas store:
Update 22 Nov 10: Explore Learning had
been hoping to open in September, ready for the new
school year, but encountered problems with getting
their travel plan approved. It looks as though
this battle is finally over, and there are now
several positive indicators, including (1)
MyPitshanger have reported that the lease has been
signed, (2) Tom Jewell, currently working at one of
the Bristol branches, has been appointed manager of
the Pitshanger Explore Learning, and (3) as of
today, a team is on site working on decoration and
fit-out.
Update 20 Dec 10: Explore Learning
opened for business today. Please visit this page periodically to
check for further updates. There is a related thread
on Pitshanger Voice
here. |
