Plans for new Tesco Metro on Southampton Way

[Rock Steady Eddie]

I am also encouraged to see such a debate, since losing 'Forgotten Camberwell' I was beginning to think that people genuinely had..

Interesting to see that discussions have come to a halt for getting on to nearly two months now.. I am assuming that may be due to the fact that planning permission has since gone through. I have been drawn here after seeing a planning poster on the hoardings detailing licensing laws.

I am closest in my views to INDOMIE and Nick W and feel that an investment by Tesco's will begin to change people's opinions on the area for the better. I think that it will definitely attract more of the pedestrian shoppers that would otherwise shop before getting the 343 home, whilst also attracting shoppers in the immediate area that might otherwise have walked quite a distance to the high streets in the vicinity.

I would like to think that with a generally increased number of customers this might in time result in more opportunities for the other shops on Southampton Way to succeed if they can offer goods and services Tesco's cannot. I am thinking that a quality fresh organic Greengrocer possibly linked to the farmers market in Peckham would do well. I also think a bicycle repair shop to take advantage of the Coleman Road/Burgess Park rat run would also well (small branch of Edwardes possibly?).

Lastly I will remain loyal to TBD and shall support Tom as he is an absolute legend.

[RuthE]

Hi Rock Steady Eddie,

Apologies for not coming back sooner and updating this thread.

Three of the four elements of the planning application were passed by Camberwell Community Council at their October planning meeting, which I was unable to attend.  The one which did not go through was the application for installation of the refrigeration and air conditioning plant, as the council was not satisfied that noise levels according to the report commissioned by the developer came anywhere near their acceptable limits.  This was deferred to the November planning meeting along with a request for further investigation into temperature levels around the area of the proposed plant room.

The short version of what happened at the November meeting is that the Community Council recommended that permission should be granted on the condition that the plant's noise levels do not exceed 10dB below background levels at night.  The developer views this as being extremely difficult to achieve, given how quiet the surrounding area is at night, and is concerned that the amount of space required for sufficient noise attenuation measures would mean that the plant room would have to be expanded into part of the space intended for retail.

I haven't seen any subsequent formal notification that this has been approved, and on the Southwark planning website it is still showing as "Awaiting Decision" (if you want to look it up it's application number 08/AP/2079).

As for the licensing application, my principal concerns are (a) the generic issue of Camberwell having an oversupply of licensed premises and a well-publicised street drinking problem (though I do accept that if Tesco goes ahead, that would be one of its basic stock ranges), and (b) the hours applied for (full opening hours - 6am to 11pm).  With regard to (b), I am not sure what powers the authorities currently have to limit the hours during which alcohol can be sold by a retailer, but I am very concerned that early morning/late night alcohol sales may encourage loitering around the premises and cause an unnecessary noise nuisance to my front-facing neighbours.  I am putting together a response to this effect.

[INDOMIE]

Tesco's have confirmed that they are hoping to open the new shop in January.

If anyone wants to get an idea of what the store will be like then there are plans on the planning application pages of the Southwark Council website.  There is also a new store on Walworth Rd which will be very similar to this one.

The planned opening hours seem reasonable to me - Presco is open 24 hrs!  Once again, I repeat that I understand that this unit came close to becoming a food outlet which would have no doubt involved late night opening (and smells).  I also think that Ruth and other local residents will no doubt find Tesco more receptive to complaints than a one man band outfit!

Yes, the generator noise is an issue but it sounds as though the planning committee have listened and made a sensible decision.

I am finding that of the people I tell about this new store (there is still no banner outside), not one has yet said anything negative.  In fact it may well encourage some of them to remain in the area longer, with the hope of more improvements to come!

I have also changed my mind on the ATM and am pleased that a free ATM service will finally be available for those people who can least afford to pay the rip off fees of other nearby facilities.  Bring on January!

[RuthE]

Tesco's have confirmed that they are hoping to open the new shop in January.

The developers said at the most recent planning meeting that they'd be looking at April.  January seems VERY soon, to get everything in place and ready to open (we're in the second week of December, I live directly above the premises, and there's been no sign whatsoever of any development starting so far, beyond the planning stage).  Can I ask where you got your info from?

Once again, I repeat that I understand that this unit came close to becoming a food outlet which would have no doubt involved late night opening (and smells).

I wasn't aware of any other specifics, but on this point I agree with you.  I have felt from the outset of the planning application that Tesco was far from the worst neighbour we could have.

[INDOMIE]

Just an email from Tesco's..."Thank you for your interest in our new Peckham Express store which is due to open in January 2009."

They dont hang around so I would be amazed if it drags on till April - not least because the format can be replicated so quickly due to their size!
 

[INDOMIE]

More info here

http://web.mac.com/evolutionquarter/EQRA/Home/Entries/2008/12/11_TESCO_COMING_TO_SOUTHAMPTON_WAY_%E2%80%98SOON%E2%80%99.html

[RuthE]

I wonder whether the info they've given you is up to date. As far as I know, the planning application for the plant room has still not had the official rubber stamp - and the planning register on the Southwark website suggests the same. Even if the application went through in the next few days, and even if Tesco are already working on the noise attenuation solution - which, the developer implied, would be a challenge and would probably involve some change to the floorplan - they'd seriously have to get their skates on to meet a January deadline (which, as I said previously, is much earlier than the developer suggested at the most recent planning meeting).

[INDOMIE]

I've chased Tesco and they've now stating a planned opening date of Friday 10 April!

[James Johnston]

Final planning permission was given on the 20th February.  The council had been waiting for Tesco to submit new plans that would result in lower noise output from the refrigeration and air conditioning units.

[Adam]

Hi, does anyone know what happened with this? Has the store openned? I can't find it.

[INDOMIE]

It's looking shaky now......there's a condition on the planning application for a noise level of 10d.b due to some objectors, not sure if this level is normal but they say that the cost of doing this for such a small unit has led to a review of the site.....it may well end up another cafe or takeaway after all.

I've emailed local councillors/planning to show my support but not sure whether its too late for some kind of compromise....

[Rah rah rah]

This is so depressing. These units have been empty for so long. Southampton Way could really have done with the investment. Unfortunately, a small minority of people who chose to live above commercial premises, but then object to their being occupied have stopped the development. The irony is that they will probably end up living above something far worse than a Tesco Express (another fast food outlet or cheap booze mechants?). We should welcome it when major retailers show some faith in our area, instead of putting up barriers.

[Regeneguru]

It may be some comfort to know that Southampton Way retail will share a £325,000 grant with Crossthwaite Avenue shopping parade.

Generally, I agree with Rah rah rah that the community should welcome all retailers, and not put personal convenience ahead of the possibility of helping their local shopping area out, whether in the form of parking or anything else.  Noise is a form of pollution though, so a limit does need to be set at some level.

[Rah rah rah]

That's great news about the grant. Is there any info on what it's about / how it will be used?

[Regeneguru]

Stan Dubeck can probably point you in the right direction for that, or forward on your ideas to the consultants drawing up the plans:

http://www.camberwellrenewal.org.uk/contact-us/