Sainsbury's plans for old Brighton Caffyns site rejected again

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has had its plans to convert the old Caffyns in Preston Road, Brighton, into a convenience store turned down again.

The unanimous decision by the 12 members of the Brighton and Hove City Council Planning Committee was greeted with applause form a packed public gallery.

The decision went against the recommendation of planning officers and reflected councillors’ fears about traffic danger and other problems relating to extra traffic.

They were also concerned about the threat to the vitality and viability of existing businesses in the area.

Withdean ward councillors Ann and Ken Norman wrote to the planning committee to say that they had received many representations for and against the scheme.

The Conservative couple said that they sided with those living closest to the site who would be most affected and opposed the plans.

They raised concerns about air and noise pollution and said that parking in the area was already at saturation point.

Tight

The committee listened to concerns about the tight angles that would face delivery lorry drivers turning into Cumberland Road and driving on and off the site.

Jamie Connors, for Sainsbury’s, said that the supermarket operator had liaised with planning officers about the traffic and transport issues raised by the committee last October when the same application was rejected.

Amy Kennedy, the Green councillor for Preston Park, asked whether Sainsbury’s had consulted neighbours since October about those concerns.

Mr Connors admitted: “We haven’t spoken to people living around the site.”

He said that deliveries would be kept to 7am to 10am and that150 cars an hour would park at the store with an average “dwell time” of ten minutes.

Mr Connors said that 25 to 30 jobs would be created at the Sainsbury’s store and more at the second shop planned for the rear of the site.

He added that Sainsbury’s would enhance the viability of other local traders.

Accidents

Russell Gotham, a retired lecturer and consultant, of Cumberland Road, addressed planners to spell out some of his concerns and those reflected in more than 360 letters of objection. Seventeen people wrote letters of support.

Mr Gotham showed a map of more than 20 accidents – three of them serious – within half a mile of the site over the past three years.

Many objectors raised fears that delivery lorries would face tight corners and tricky manoeuvring to turn into and out of Cumberland Road and to reach the delivery area on the site.

They were concerned that this would lead to more accidents and present an even greater danger to pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers along a busy stretch of the A23.

The old Caffyns site – a disused car showroom and petrol filling station – is close to the staggered junction at the foot of Preston Drove.

After looking at Sainsbury’s proposed entry and exit routes, Juliet McCaffery, the Labour councillor for Preston Park, said: “I find it totally amazing that that’s thought to be a safe entrance.”

She also criticised the delivery hours, saying: “7am to 10am includes the rush-hour and is very busy along Preston Road yet that’s when they’re trying to get deliveries done.”

Bill Randall, the Green councillor for Hanover and Elm Grove, said: “This will have an unacceptable impact on what is a nice little residential area.”

Another Green councillor, Ian Davey, who represents St Peter’s and North Laine, said: “This will worsen the congestion and to say it will not affect the viability of neighbouring shops is a nonsense.”

Carol Theobald, the Conservative councillor for Patcham, said that the proposals would excarebate existing parking problems and would add to the dangers facing children crossing the road.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “We are obviously disappointed with this result having worked hard to address the previous objections and received a recommendation for approval from officers.

“We will now consider the reasons for refusal before we decide on our next steps.”