Will it be third time lucky? Thorpe Hesley residents voice objections again

There were more than 300 objections across the previous two proposals, which were rejected by Rotherham Council in July 2021 and February 2022.

Now applicants Northgate Assets have filed new paperwork for the store on Brook Hill in Thorpe Hesley, which would be open daily from 7am to 11pm and have 11 parking spaces.

The most recent application was refused over concerns relating to design, noise disturbance, and unsuitable access and parking provision.

The shop would be split over two levels, with sales at ground floor and back of house operations at basement level.

Planning papers from Northgate Assets say: “The new store will allow for an improvement in the range and choice of goods offered locally and will provide a modern new retail environment with a light and spacious floorplan and adequate car parking provision.

“Furthermore, the site is within an area designated for housing growth.”

After the first refusal, the store design was revised to be more in-keeping with the area — but these changes were also deemed unsuitable by RMBC.

However Northgate’s papers say: “It is asserted that the revisions represent a significant improvement in design terms.

“The appearance is one of a residential scale that will assimilate well within the urban grain and make a positive contribution to the street scene and adjacent conservation area.”

One objector, of Raven Drive, said they had lost count of the number of attempts which had been made to obtain permission for the shop.

He added: “There are already two similar shops in the village, one of which is almost next door to this proposal. The building of this store would cause huge disruption and congestion, as well as doing the same once it were to open.”

Another resident, of Upper Wortley Road, added: “The issues are still the same. The area is already very dangerous.

“There is a blind corner just above where the premises would be built. Cars and delivery lorries going in and coming out of the car park would make it even worse.”

The Horse & Tiger pub, opposite the site, has objected because plans show its lay-by outside would have double yellow lines added.

“This will push residents into my already limited car park,” said owner Deborah Wright.

“This will also be the case on school pick-up times. The double yellows will have a negative effect on my business.”

Rotherham Council’s highways department has said it cannot support the proposals because access would not be safe and suitable, and goods delivery would not be efficient.

RMBC engineer Nigel Davey said “substandard” highway facilities in the area would indicate that the scheme would be “overdevelopment” of the site.

He added: “The development, if approved, would result in the introduction of additional pedestrian traffic onto a length of the classified road which is lacking in pedestrian facilities, to the detriment of pedestrian safety.”

A decision date has yet to be fixed.