A DEVELOPER has been given permission to reduce the number of retail units next to a new Tesco store.
Planning permission for four retail units alongside Newport Road in Llantarnam, Cwmbran was granted in November 2022 with 22 homes approved on another part of the site, now known as Malthouse Court, approved in 2019.
Securing the Tesco Express store had been a priority for the developers but despite marketing the remaining units for four years, there had been only limited interest, prompting Daffion Developments to request Torfaen Borough Council lift some of the original planning conditions.
It has now agreed to do that with construction work, that started in November last year, having been completed in July.
The council has agreed to allow the merger of two retail units into one, reducing the overall number to three and as result, changes to the originally approved layouts. A condition that limits the floor area a food and drink business can occupy, remains but has been amended as it mentioned four units.
The revised condition allows only one of the two remaining units to be used for food and drink up to a maximum floor area of 188.69 square metres, with the restriction intended to protect the amenity of residents in nearby housing.
According to information submitted to the council’s planning department the “main coffee shop operators”, described as Greggs, Esquires and Coffi Lab among others, all typically require around 1,500 square foot, which is 139 square metre, units.
A veterinary practice “expressed a keen interest” but wanted 2,500 sq ft (232 sq m) as a minimum.
As a result, changes have been made to accommodate the veterinary practice and a coffee shop and the approved application formalises those changes.