A PLANNING application to extend temporary planning permission for a shop in Gilden Park is set to go before the planning committee.

The application site relates to the Londis Convenience Store, located to the south of Nos.10-15 Fieldfare Way. The building was granted a temporary two-year permission on the 8th December 2023, pending provision of permanent retail facilities for the Gilden Way development.

Details of the Proposal

The application proposes to extend the temporary permission granted under HW/FUL/23/00388 by a further 24 months until the 8th December 2027.

There have been a number of letters of support.

Convenient, well-stocked local shopping facility; makes daily life less stressful, safer
and manageable for families
 Hub for social interaction
 Reduces car journeys
 Supports local employment
 Good, helpful customer service
 Genuine efforts to engage with the community through seasonal events, charity
initiatives, and family-friendly activities
 Provides natural surveillance, footfall, and activity within the area, which contributes
to a safer environment. A well-used, well-lit neighbourhood store discourages
antisocial behaviour and provides reassurance for residents walking in the area,
especially during darker winter months
 Essential for older adults and vulnerable people; valuable for the community;
important asset; integral infrastructure; needs to remain open

There has also been a number of objections.

Unsightly and out of place; eyesore; unpleasant environment for residents
 Promised bigger facility which has not been delivered, despite the Community Centre
opening up
 Will the temporary store remain in perpetuity? Demonstrates a lack of commitment
from developers
 Existing store has probably resulted in a lack of interest
 Additional traffic and on-street parking to the detriment of residents; parking provision
inadequate for staff and customers; no traffic assessment (i.e. overspill); these roads
not designed to act as commercial transport corridors; increased delivery vehicle
movements; sustained customer traffic; ad-hoc parking and congestion on residential
streets; unsafe vehicle manoeuvres at peak time; blind spots
 Health and safety concerns – Aisles are extremely narrow, making it difficult for
customers to move around safely, it is not possible to have more than one or two
people are present inside.
 Accessibility issues for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility
 Poor maintenance and upkeep – there are often rubbish, empty crates, and general
clutter left outside the shop; accumulation of packaging and commercial waste;
potential issues with vermin, odour, or litter; inadequate long-term waste
management strategies due to the “temporary” nature of the approval.
 There are already several established shops within convenient walking distance
which adequately serve the local population
 Authenticity of representations – several comments appear formulaic, repetitive, and
unnatural in language; some appear to lack credible connection to the area; timing
and similarity indicate they may have been orchestrated, possibly even submitted by
or on behalf of the applicant.
 Pressure on Customers & Residents to Complete Surveys – Potential GDPR Breach

The meeting is set for Wednesday December 3rd at 7pm in the council chambers.

Full details here.

https://moderngov.harlow.gov.uk/documents/s29496/HW%20FUL%2025%2000457%20Gilden%20Store%20Report.pdf