Developers Robert Hitchins Ltd has welcomed a decision by Tewkesbury Borough Councillors to back proposals for a £60 million factory outlet and garden centre at Ashchurch.
The Gloucestershire-based company wants to bring the specialist leisure complex to a 23-hectare site on the A46, along with up to 1,000 jobs on completion and more than 200 during construction.
They say it would be the biggest investment in Tewkesbury for many years and could help transform the local economy.
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s officers recommended refusal when the outline planning application came before the Planning Committee on Tuesday, March 15.
But councillors voted overwhelmingly (16-1) in favour.
Because of the nature of the proposal, the application will be referred to the Secretary of State before planning permission can be granted. It will do so with a recommendation from Tewkesbury Borough that councillors are ‘minded to grant’ permission, subject to further discussions surrounding a Section 106 contribution from the developers.
RHL’s Property and Development Director Simon Tothill said: “We are very grateful to Tewkesbury Borough Councillors for their backing. They considered the arguments and voted for what’s best for Tewkesbury. We are confident that this scheme could be the best thing to happen to the town and borough for years.
“Saying ‘no’ would have been a major missed opportunity – another blow to a borough which always draws the short straw when it comes to investment and economic punch.
“We will now await a decision from the Secretary of State.”
The main reason council officers urged refusal of planning permission was that they considered an out-of-centre factory outlet would harm Tewkesbury town centre and Gloucester city centre.
But Cllr Andrew Reece told the meeting: “As a former retailer, whichever way we look at it, when people go shopping they are looking for something better. This centre won’t affect the high street.”
Mr Tothill added: “There is absolutely no doubt that a factory outlet, attracting thousands of visitors per year and providing a shuttle link to the town centre, would increase footfall in Tewkesbury town centre, not reduce it. It’s a totally different offer.
“As far as Gloucester is concerned, an out-of-centre factory outlet and garden centre are not in direct competition – they are completely different retail offerings.
“We are confident that this proposal will can only benefit Tewkesbury town and borough, bringing up to 1,000 jobs and providing a springboard for a strong and competitive economy.”
The out-of-town factory outlet would offer clothing, sport and leisure goods alongside a garden centre on the south side of the A46 near the BP garage.
Robert Hitchins has also offered £675,000 towards investment in Tewkesbury town centre and £364,000 towards highways as part of a Section 106 agreement.
The highways cash will bring forward significant improvements to the A46 in the form of a dual carriageway between the M5 and Alexandra Way and other off-site highway works on the A438 and Northway Lane.
There would be a tourist information point at the outlet and a shuttle bus into Tewkesbury town centre which would link with Ashchurch railway station, providing an opportunity to promote the area as an all-year-round tourism and leisure destination.
