Contact: Ken Dudley, ext 6902

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That approval be given for the Chief Executive to conclude an appropriate legal Agreement with Tesco Stores Limited and Rushmoor Borough Council in relation to the making of financial contributions to fund improved bus services, improvements to pedestrian/cycle links to the town centre and to the securing of a Work Place Travel Plan for the site.

2. Reason

2.1 To ensure improvements to the accessibility of the site and to encourage the use of alternative modes of travel to the motor car in line with Planning Policy Guidance Note 13 (PPG13).

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 None.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - none.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent -not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Introduction

7.1 A full planning application has been submitted to Rushmoor Borough Council by Tesco Stores Limited for the extension by 996 square metres, to give a total gross floor area of 7,080 square metres, at the existing foodstore off Wellington Avenue, Aldershot. The site is located to the north of Wellington Avenue which connects in the west to the A325 (see attached location plan).

7.2 The Borough Council refused permission for the application but following a Planning Appeal Inquiry an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport has allowed the Appeal, subject to conditions including underwriting the provisions of a shuttle bus service and enhancements to pedestrian/cycle links to the town centre.

7.3 The local Member, Councillor Kimber, supports the package of transportation improvements which have been secured in association with the development.

8. Transport Proposals

8.1 The site gains vehicular access from a spur road off the Willems roundabout on Wellington Avenue, and is linked to the town centre by a network of footpaths and pedestrian subways.

8.2 To enable the development, 13 existing car parking spaces will be removed. This approach maintains an acceptable provision ratio more consistent with the maximum standards set out in PPG13.

8.3 In negotiation the developer has agreed to improve the sustainability of the site by funding transportation improvements. Firstly, in the form of underwriting the provision of a half-hourly shuttle bus service around the town centre to the store for a period of five years. Secondly, to fund enhancements to the pedestrian and cycle linkages between the store and the town centre. Additionally, the applicant has agreed to implement a Work Place Travel Plan for the store secured in a legal Agreement with the Borough Council to include agreed targets together with their monitoring.

9. Financial Implications

9.1 In the event of the proposal being implemented the applicant has agreed, at no cost to the County Council, to:

(i) make a financial contribution of £250,000 to fund the introduction of public transport improvements to serve the site;

(ii) make a financial contribution of £140,000 to fund the implementation of improvements to the pedestrian and cycleway linkages between the site and the town centre; and

(iii) implement an agreed Work Place Travel Plan for the site.

7193/KVD