Cornwall Council - in the Hayle Development Plan say

4.28. The Cornwall Retail Study Update (2015) indicates Hayle would have the capacity to accommodate a modest 680sqm of new convenience floorspace and approximately 1,800sqm of comparison floorspace, up to 2030. However, since the study permission has been granted for 15,000sqm of retail development on the edge of the town, adjacent to the West Cornwall Retail Park

The development on the Marsh Lane site is 8,404sqm of retail floorspace.

Cornwall Council in the decision notice for PA14/07582 (to construct new Petrol Station sales building of 40sqm

"The sales building hereby approved shall be used solely as ancillary to the petrol filling station granted approval under W1/85/0522 dated 28.10.1985 and shall not be used as a separate retail use.

Reason: To safeguard and maintain the viability of the nearby town centre and in accordance with paragraph 23 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2012."

We repeat - the development on the Marsh Lane site is 8,404sqm of retail floorspace.

The developer indicated initially that the development would be for bulky goods

The proposed retail development will be limited to bulky goods only. There are currently no
bulky goods operators at the WCSP or proposed for the Hayle Rugby Club development.
Current shopping trends indicate the nearest bulky goods shopping destinations are Truro,
Penzance and Cambourne / Pool.

The developer indicated the development would contain bulky white goods and electrical breaking down as

• 25% of floorspace occupied by a DIY retailer
• 55% of floorspace occupied by furniture and furnishings retailers;
• 20% occupied by electrical retailers

The case officer's report Paragraph 15 says

 “The Class A1 Retail Units hereby permitted shall be used for the sale and display of comparison goods. The sale and display of comparison goods within these units shall be limited to the following categories: pets and pet supplies; furniture, floor coverings and textiles; DIY and hardware products; domestic appliances; smaller electrical and domestic electrical products; goods related to the construction, repair, maintenance and improvement of the home, garden and motor vehicles."

Quite a considerable overlap with businesses in and around Hayle.

Hayle Chamber of Commerce - representing four businesses according to their membership list (Flowertime Florist, Abode Property Agents, RJ Photo (St Erth), Focus Technology Europe Ltd (based in Beacon) - wrote in strong support of this application.

"At the August meeting of our Chamber, the Chairman asked for clarification of the Chambers reaction with regard to the new Cranford's application which he noted was a detail application. The meeting was supportive and wished it so expressed.

The President has subsequently visited retail Members and non-Members through Hayle and found none objecting. Their positive reaction to this current application was that it forms a necessary development, along with others, to the north end of Hayle providing the opportunity of employment for local people giving them a financial ability to spend it with existing Hayle companies.

The Hayle & District Chamber of Commerce supports this application."

Other Hayle local businesses did object - and many say Hayle Chamber of Commerce has never contacted them. 

The Council Planning site records

• Total Consulted: 119
• Comments Received: 89
• Objections: 88
• Supporting: 1

The 1 was Hayle Chamber of Commerce.

Hayle Chamber of Commerce's support was given much weight at the SPC as noted in extract from the Minutes of SPC

"A full and detailed debate ensued, the main points of which were noted as follows:-,

1. Support for the proposal, GVA had confirmed the cumulative impact upon Hayle would be just 1%. The Chamber of Commerce had supported the scheme. The goods to be sold did not compete and the development would provide a buffer zone protecting the village of Angarrack. The economic benefits together with employment opportunities were welcomed in West Cornwall."

"Arising from consideration of the report and debate it was moved by Councillor Coombe, seconded by Councillor May and on a vote of 11 votes in favour, 7 against and 1 abstention"

We do not believe the impact upon Hayle would be just 1% - even with the mix as above.

According to the Illustrative Master Plan - the retailers are planned to include

Wickes - Unit H 2,360m/25,430sqft about 10% smaller than Marks and Spencer

Home improvement retailer and garden centre, owned by Travis Perkins, with more than 200 stores throughout the country. Its main business is the sale of supplies and materials, for homeowners and the building trade.  The company also trades in the kitchen and bathroom market, in which it has extensive ranges from budget take away kitchens and bathrooms, to more bespoke professionally designed kitchens and bathrooms

Dunelm Group - Unit I 1,860m/20,023sqft twice the size of Boots

Homewares – dining, cookshop, crafts, pictures and mirrors, lighting, storage, flowers and decor, rugs and doormats, duvets and pillows, bathroom, fabrics and custom curtains, blinds, bedlinen, furniture, pets, cushions, throws and beanbags, curtain tracks and poles, Pausa coffee shop

DFS - Unit J 931m/10,020sqft just smaller than Boots

Specialising in sofas and soft furnishings

Pets at Home - Unit F 466m/5,020sqft half the size of Boots

The United Kingdom's largest pet supplies retailer. The company works with 227 veterinary surgeons who practice from its stores. The company sells products including food, toys, bedding, medication and accessories and pets.

Tapi - Unit C 558m/6,010sqft about 60% size of Boots

Supply and fit carpets, laminate, vinyl, luxury vinyl tile flooring and underlay

No retailers identified  yet for the following units.

Unit G 316m/3,403sqft
Unit E 466m/5,020sqft
Unit D 558m/6,010sqft
Unit B 465m/5,010sqft
Unit A 419m/4,510sqft

nb - planning cannot be refused on which retailers , it's not a material planning ground- but the retail capacity assessment and the impact on Hayle should take this into account.  However, it looks like the impact solely on Hayle's town centres has been used to calculate the impact - which excludes almost all of the stores in and around Hayle trading in these goods.  The SPC was informed the impact upon Hayle would be negligible.  We don't agree.