Sainsbury's in Taunton appeals council decision to refuse plans for a Timpson's kiosk outside store

Sainsbury's has lodged an appeal after its plans to site a new Timpson's kiosk outside one of its Taunton stores were refused.

The supermarket chain applied to the then-Taunton Deane Borough Council in July 2018 to site the kiosk outside its superstore on the Hankridge Farm Retail Park near the M5.

The council refused to grant permission in January, claiming it would take business away from the high street, with other sites in the centre of Taunton being available for this purpose.

Now Sainsbury's has turned to the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to overturn this decision - and residents only have a few days left to put their views across.

The proposed concession stand would occupy an area of 14 sq m outside the Sainsbury's store, and would offer services like key cutting, watch repairs and dry cleaning.

Sainsbury's is appealing the council decision

Timpsons already has a concession within the Morrisons store in Taunton, as well as within the Sainsbury's and Morrisons stores in Bridgwater.

Tim Burton, the council's then-assistant director of planning and the environment, published the council's reasons for refusal in writing on January 14.

He stated: "The proposal would result in a main town centre use being located in an out-of-centre location. There are sequentially preferable sites available in the town centre.

"The proposed development is considered to undermine our policy of safeguarding the vitality and viability of Taunton town centre, and to be contrary to the objectives of sustainable development."

Mr Burton said there were similar-sized outlets available on East Reach, Fore Street, High Street and The Courtyard, as well as within the Orchard Shopping Centre, which could be occupied first.

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Sainsbury's has said the principle of these concessions was "well-established in food stores across the UK", and the Taunton outlet would not draw people from the high street since it would be "very limited in scale".

A spokesperson added that it was not possible to site the concession at its Billet Street store due to its small size, arguing: "The required car park and customer circulation space at the front of the store results in there being no room to physically accommodate a Timpson concession pod at the entrance of the store."

The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed the appeal will be conducted through written representations rather than a public hearing, with all comments needing to be received by Thursday (June 6).

To make a comment on the application, visit www.planninginspectorate.gov.uk and search for reference number 3224972.

The outcome of the appeal is expected to be published in the summer.