April 7, 2016
Plans to replace the popular discount supermarket with a restaurant were met with widespread criticism, and the developers have now announced that at least half of the ground floor will remain ‘retail space’.
At least half of a popular discount supermarket will remain retail space after controversial plans to replace it with a restaurant were widely condemned.
Developers Angle Property have announced that a minimum of 50% of the ground floor of Iceland, Sycamore Road, Amersham, will remain retail space following feedback from townsfolk.
James Good, director, said: “Angle Property remain committed to working with local residents and councillors. As promised, we have continued to review all the feedback received and look to incorporate this into our evolving plans where possible and appropriate.
“Following the recent consultation event and in response to residents’ concerns about a loss retail space and too many restaurants in the town, we have now amended our planning application to ensure that a minimum of 50% of the ground floor will be A1 retail accommodation and a minimum of 50% of the shopping frontage is also limited to A1 retail use only.
“This will provide the opportunity for continued food retail use in a significant part of the ground floor, together with other A1 retail or A3 restaurant occupiers.
“We continue to negotiate with a number of different occupiers about taking space within the proposed scheme and look forward to providing further clarity once we have agreed terms.”
Plans were initially submitted to replace the branch – which closed its doors for good on December 31 – with a restaurant and with 35 new homes.
But the plans were widely condemned, as people wanted a discount store to remain.
More than 300 people turned up to a public meeting on Saturday January 31 were townspeople and stakeholders were invited to view and comment on the plans unveiled by Angle Property and representatives from the development team were also on hand to answer questions.
Iceland announced in February that they had submitted an offer to return to the town after being ‘overwhelmed’ by support from townsfolk.
A number of other retailers, including Co-op, Morrisons, Loaf, Mountain Warehouse and restaurant chain Bill’s, could also become future tenants of the site on Sycamore Road if the proposals receive planning permission.
Author: Tom Herbert, Getbucks
Link: http://www.getbucks.co.uk/news/local-news/50-amersham-iceland-remain-retail-11138915