WILKINSON is coming to Bordon, after planners gave the controversial scheme the rubber stamp last Thursday. East Hampshire district councillors spent more than an hour debating the desirability of the development next to the Forest Centre, which squeezed through approval by the narrowest of margins, at 10 votes to nine. The building, which is 10 metres high in places, will also house nine flats and basement parking. Applicants Broadmeadow Limited will also provide a pedestrian walkway and disabled access. Local councillors and retailers spoke out at the meeting, stressing that they welcomed Wilkinson to the area and recognised the need for more retailing. But many councillors voted against the application, saying it was not right. Parking was just one cause for concern and many said the traffic survey carried out in 2002 was "outdated" and "inadequate". Councillors said that Lidl's sales had increased by 25 per cent in the last 16 months, so more parking was a must. The applicants will provide nine spaces, one for each flat, and eight staff parking spaces. Members also showed concern for number 47 Forest Road, a house close to the site. Councillor Adam Carew said: "The grossly inadequate car parking must be sorted out. It is unacceptable that there is absolutely no public car parking for a building comprising 1,765 square metres of retail space. "It is unbelievable that no public car- parking space has been provided whatsoever. What is going on? "This could only ever happen to poor old Bordon. Well, I do not think it is good enough. Our community deserves better. At the very least, a new (traffic) survey should have been commissioned prior to this application coming to this committee. "I do not believe that the current plans are satisfactory, as we have major issues still to resolve regarding height, security, traffic congestion, future development of the public library and Forest Centre integration. Councillors were concerned about parking because Wilkinson has more than 40 members of staff and will only provide eight staff car- parking spaces. Wilkinson staff levels were said to double at Christmas time. Whitehill town clerk Linda Tiley speaking on behalf of the town council, said one car parking space per flat would not be enough. "Where will the second car be parked?" she asked. She said that, since the arrival of Tesco, more people were shopping locally and that Wilkinson should provide parking. "It's unacceptable to provide no additional parking," she said. She said Whitehill Town Council would like to see at least 62 new spaces provided. Dominic Sweeney, representing Wilkinson, said: "The parking was agreed by East Hampshire District Council's highway department. The amount is in line with local policy and government policy." He said there had already been 10 months of pre-application consultation and seven months of post-application consultation. "We feel that we have done everything that we can," he said. Case officer Paul Bowman said that residents were likely to make dual visits to stores and would park in the Lidl or Somerfield car parks. Zoya Faddy, a councillor for Whitehill, said: "Because it is such an important site - it is the last-remaining bit of land in our shopping area - it is essential that we get it right. "If Wilkinson goes ahead, it will be like the honey pot and it will attract people from a wide area. Where will they park? There are not a lot of parking spaces." Another issue councillors repeatedly raised was the height of the building. Zoya Faddy said: "It's a very high building, much higher than any other building in the Forest Centre. It's out of keeping with properties in Forest Road." Councillor Brian Dickinson, said: "It would sit very well on the outskirts of Swindon, Basingstoke, or Portsmouth, but not in Forest Road, Bordon. I think it's completely wrong." However, councillor Chris Graham, said: "The clear issue is that it is unanimous that they want a Wilkinson in the area. "Wilkinson spent a lot of time on this application. I feel that this is an opportunity that should not be lost." Councillor Jerry Janes said the problem seemed to be that the building was not in keeping with "the rubbish that surrounds it". Two oak trees on the site also gave cause for concern. The trees have TPOs (tree preservation orders) on them and the development had to be moved back and changed to accommodate them. Councillor Don Mayes said: "I have no particular love of those two trees and I am sorry they have caused so many problems. I think it's plain stupid to be governed by two oak trees." Councillors voted 10 to nine for the application. Provided all legal agreements are signed, local residents should soon be able to watch the progress from the Forest Centre as the building goes up.
