Tesco corner shop plan next to ‘King Billy’ pub in Warmley refused by council

Controversial plans to build a Tesco store on the site of the King William IV pub in Warmley have been thrown out by South Gloucestershire Council.

Tesco made the application in June 2021 but the plans to demolish part of the pub - known locally as The King Billy - and build a convenience store on the land next to the junction of Cadbury Heath Road and Tower Road South were met with a high number of objections from local residents.

Of the concerns raised, many people said the junction where the Tesco store was proposed was already busy and that parking problems in the area would be made worse. There is also a pedestrian crossing in close proximity to where the proposed loading bay would have been.

More than 200 people registered their objections to the plans by Cordage Estates Ltd/Punch Partnerships (PML) Ltd and South Gloucestershire Council refused the application yesterday (January 5).

The council’s Strategic Planning development manager cited the following reasons for the refusal: “The proposed loading/unloading bay in front of the Public House with the access/egress arrangement in proximity to the existing pedestrian crossing is unsatisfactory and does not meet the minimum standards necessary to serve the development.

“The construction and use of such a service bay would be likely to increase highway dangers and create more hazardous conditions than exist at the present time, all to the detriment of highway safety.”

During the consultation, Oldland Parish Council expressed serious concerns over the plans, particularly the inadequate provision for parking, loading and turning of delivery vehicles.

A spokesperson said: “The Parish Council objects to this application in the strongest terms and fully supports the legitimate and reasoned objections of neighbouring businesses and residents.

“The applicant’s reports continue to fail to recognise local issues with respect to traffic, access and road safety.”