Go-ahead given for a large Nisa store in Kedington

The owners of a Nisa in Kedington have gained approval for a larger replacement shop, despite concerns about disturbance and the visual impact for those living nearby.

The new Haverhill Road shop will be built on agricultural land next to the British Legion Hall, and will replace the Nisa on Silver Street.

Daxa Visana, applicant and owner of the Nisa with her husband Dilip Visana, said at West Suffolk Council’s planning meeting today: “We are a small, local, independent store, seeking to ensure we can continue to provide the best service possible to our local community.

“The needs of the village have dramatically changed since the shop was initially built in the 1960s.

“The existing location fails to allow us to suitably meet the challenging times ahead.

“Since starting this process, we have received an overwhelming amount of support from local residents – including 262 petition signatures in favour of our proposal and ten detailed letters of support.

“We have also received some valid letters of concern during this process, particularly around the accessibility of the site for pedestrians and the potential impact on nearby residents.

“We have taken on board these concerns and incorporated changes by creating new pedestrian linkages to enable safe access, and landscaping the shop to minimise its visual impact with a large, beautiful area of wildflowers.”

The new Nisa will be single-storey and measure 25 metres by 18 metres. A car park, pedestrian crossing and footway will be added to serve the shop.

The site is used to grow wheat and classed as grade two agricultural land, which means it is very high quality.

Kedington Parish Council supports the proposal, and its chair Ann Naylor pointed out the expansion of Kedington – including with 40 houses planned for Mill Road – to show the need for a larger shop.

Cllr Carol Bull said: “There are some disadvantages for some residents, but what it will offer to villagers is so much more.

“I think it is admirable that someone wants to build a new shop to serve the village.”

Cllrs Mike Chester and David Roach echoed the view that the benefits of the development to the entire village would outweigh the disadvantages for nearby residents.

Five letters of approval and 55 letters of concern were submitted on the application by local residents.

Concerns by residents include loss of agricultural land, lack of accessibility as the shop would be moved from its central location, potential anti-social behaviour on the car park and traffic problems.

The officers’ report brought to the committee accepted that those living in residential properties facing the new shop would suffer a “considerable change” in view and potential disturbance.

The application was approved with 12 councillors for and three against.

Cllr Jason Crooks said in opposition: “This is a supermarket – it is not a village shop. It will urbanise the entrance into Kedington.

“The noise and loss to amenity lost to those living opposite will be absolutely terrible for them.

“I cannot support doing this to Kedington.”

Cllr John Burns mentioned the fact that elderly people living in bungalows near to the current Nisa can walk to the shop – but won’t be able to do so with the change of location.

The Nisa currently runs a delivery service, which could help those who can’t easily reach the new site if it is continued.