A CONTROVERSIAL application for a new Sainsbury’s, Costa and industrial units in Droitwich is set to go before Wychavon Council’s planning committee tomorrow (July 20), with the proposals receiving a recommendation for approval.
The application for Copcut Business Park would see the new supermarket and coffee shop and drive-thru built on land at Joynes Road.
There would also be an eight-point EV charging station built as well as two industrial units and parking, landscaping and infrastructure works.
It would be to the Eastern edge of the Copcut Rise residential development.
Developers Witton Estates said the proposal would bring up to 210 full-time equivalent jobs, supporting annual wages of up to £6.4million and providing a ‘much-needed boost’ to the local economy.
“The proposal would help unlock a site that, despite already benefiting from planning permission and an allocation for mixed-use development, has been vacant for over ten years.
“The inclusion of the EV charging station will help boost the transition to electric vehicles.”
They added the new pedestrian links into the surrounding residential development would help encourage people to interact more.
As part of a consultation, North Claines and Salwarpe Councillor Nicolas Wright said there was ‘insufficient evidence’ to demonstrate 235 new jobs would be created.
He also felt the proposal didn’t fit with how the houses at Copcut were promoted as being in ‘a peaceful and countryside location surrounded by natural beauty’.
In total, Wychavon has received 144 letters of objection against the development.
Objections included people feeling there was no demand for industrial units in that area.
There were also fears of increased traffic and those living close by facing the prospect of constant noise and disturbance alongside added pollution during the construction.
People also felt there would be a lack of infrastructure to support the proposal and thought it would result in more crime, anti-social behaviour, littering and pest infestations.
Others said they were not aware there would be industrial development on the site before moving into the Copcut estate and feared the proposal would devalue the existing house prices.
Eight letters of support were received with people saying the Costa and Sainsbury’s would bring much-needed services to Copcut that would be accessible for children and the elderly without having to leave the estate by car.
Tomorrow’s planning meeting starts at 2pm.
Visit Wychavon District Council’s YouTube page to watch the meeting.
