PLANS IN FOR NEW SUPERSTORE IN MARGATE

Plans have been submitted for a new retail superstore next to Arlington House in Margate.

The application is for a superstore, which would be built on the existing car park. A total of 409 new parking spaces would be provided at the ground floor level, with the store located above. Because the shopping area is at the first floor level, the building includes a large front lobby to enable customers to get to the store, and a raised platform for lorry deliveries. Neither of these are usually required with ground floor stores.

The shopping area of the store is similar in size to the existing Tesco at Manston Road, Ramsgate. In total, including delivery areas and the entrance lobby, the store would be 7,565 square metres.

The store is expected to bring 300 jobs to the area, according to information submitted as part of the application.

The application also includes improvements to Arlington House, including new windows, repairing and treating the concrete panels, new lighting and a roof canopy on top of the building. The existing retail units in Arlington Square would be demolished and replaced with new shops, cafes, restaurants or bars, with a hotel above. The ground floor of Arlington House would become either shops, a cafe, restaurant, bar or community facility such as a doctor's surgery.
Details of the application are available on the council's website using UK Planning under reference number 10/1061. The plans can also be viewed by visiting Thanet's Gateway Plus in Cecil Street, Margate from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with extended opening until 8pm on Thursdays. Thanet's Gateway Plus is also open from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.

The deadline for comments to be received is 28 February 2011. Comments should be sent to planning.services@thanet.gov.uk The application will be considered by the council’s Planning Committee in spring 2011.