Plans for an Aldi store at Winnersh, which councillors voted to approve in December, have been sent back before the planning committee – this time with a recommendation for refusal.
Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee voted to approve Aldi’s plans for a new store at Gazelle Close at its December 13 meeting but the application was later called in by the Secretary of State over flood risks and is to be decided by an inquiry.
Now, following the Environment Agency’s submission to the inquiry, council officers have reconsidered their own position and reversed their initial recommendation for approval.
The issue centres around whether Aldi had adequately allowed for climate change in its flood mitigation measures.
The application must now go back before the committee with a recommendation for refusal. The ultimate decision will remain with the planning inspector after the inquiry but the council’s new decision – set to be made at its June 12 meeting – will be a factor.
A report to the June 12 meeting states: “The council as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) has reviewed its position and now raises an objection on flooding and drainage grounds.
“This application is therefore before the committee again advising that an alternative recommendation should now be made. The alternative recommendation is that the application fails to demonstrate acceptable flood risk and drainage impacts.
“This affects the overall planning balance and officers are advising that the council should present a case to the Secretary of State, recommending that they refuse the application.”
© Thames Tap (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).
Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.
