Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Object

Representation ID: 19730

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Tesco Stores Ltd.

Agent: Development Planning Partnership

We note that the strategy set out at Paragraph 5.19 identifies the importance to retain retail expenditure within Rye through a qualitative improvement in local retailing. However, we believe that this paragraph needs to be more explicit as to the nature of the need (i.e. convenience goods shopping supplemented by some ancillary comparison goods floorspace1) and provide a broad indication of the scale of and nature retail development (namely a new foodstore) required to be able to stem the very substantial level of convenience expenditure outflow, thus helping to retain retail expenditure within Rye.

Object

Representation ID: 19731

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Tesco Stores Ltd.

Agent: Development Planning Partnership

The 'Rother District Wide Shopping Assessment' identifies qualitative need for additional convenience floorspace within Rye. We welcome the acknowledgement of this need within the Core Strategy. However, the scale of floorspace need identified in the Shopping Assessment is indicative and should be seen as a starting point only. This figure should be taken as a guide only. As it is currently worded, there is not enough attention drawn to the key matter of convenience expenditure leaking from Rye to surrounding areas. It is requested that the second sentence of Paragraph 5.19 be amended as follows:

"However, there is a substantial trade "leakage" from both towns/ particularlv for convenience goods."

Object

Representation ID: 19732

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Tesco Stores Ltd.

Agent: Development Planning Partnership

Paragragh 5.65: Box 3 -Preferred Strategv for Overall Spatial Development
We note that item (g) of the preferred strategy gives particular attention to meeting 'local' needs. We believe that this paragraph should make particular reference to convenience shopping as a 'local need'.

Object

Representation ID: 19733

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Tesco Stores Ltd.

Agent: Development Planning Partnership

Paragraoh 5.66 -Table. We believe that this table should make reference to the fact that this figure is a guide only and should not be prescriptive. The scale of new retail development required should aim to stem the outflow of convenience expenditure from the town. This can only be provided in a modern foodstore, with adjoining car parking.
The Shopping Assessment supports this assessment by stating that extending existing stores will not create sufficient customer attraction and it acknowledges the demand of 'large grocery store retailers' to have a mix of both food and non-food goods (paragraphs 7.45 -7.47).

Object

Representation ID: 19734

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Tesco Stores Ltd.

Agent: Development Planning Partnership

Paragraoh 8.5 -recognises that Rye town centre only retains 10.5% of main food shopping trips. This needs to be drawn into context in comparison to other expenditure leakage figures in other town centres highlighting the seriousness of this matter.
Para 8.7: Box 14- Aim and Obiectives
Item (iii) refers to the objective to improve the availability of day to day goods and services in Rye. We believe that this item needs to be amended as follows:

"(iii) To improve the availability of day to day goods and services, palticularly for main food shopping"

Object

Representation ID: 19735

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Tesco Stores Ltd.

Agent: Development Planning Partnership

Paragragh 8.34: Box 15- Preferred Strategy for Rye and Rye Harbour
To be consistent with the above comments, it is requested that item e) Preferred Strategy for the town centre should be amended as follows:

'Increase day to day services and facilities for the community, in particular main foodshopping, and to retain more local trade.

Support

Representation ID: 19736

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Tesco Stores Ltd.

Agent: Development Planning Partnership

Item e) (ii) refers to the provision of additional convenience floorspace 'within or adjacent to the town centre'. We welcome acceptance that a preferred site should be in or adjacent to the town centre which is consistent with PPS6 and the sequential test. This is of particular relevance given the lack of suitable sites within Rye town centre.

Support

Representation ID: 19738

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Tesco Stores Ltd.

Agent: Development Planning Partnership

Item e) (ii) is based on indicative figures set out in the 'Rother District Wide Shopping Assessment (June 2008)' and is not intended to be prescriptive. This figure excludes existing floorspace commitments such as the Budgens/Jempson store extension.
This preferred strategy for the town centre is further supported given the sustainability benefits available in retaining retail expenditure within Rye. The distances involved in Rye residents travelling to alternative main food shopping locations is not sustainable and the development of new convenience floorspace together with complementary comparison shopping will facilitate linked trips. The provision of local services will also contribute to encouraging non-car modes of transport. Furthermore, the sustainability benefits in developing local needs are inherent in retaining expenditure within Rye.