SPAR Convenience Store, Coedpoeth
Innovative forecourt design helps overcome highway safety concerns for new convenience store
Project Overview
DW Transportation was appointed to provide transport planning and highway design advice to support the redevelopment of the former Eccleston's Bakery on High Street, Coedpoeth into a new SPAR convenience store for Blakemore Property. The project included a Transport Statement, Travel Plan, Delivery Management Plan and forecourt/access design.
Before our appointment, the proposal had experienced a difficult planning history. Since 2011, it had been the subject of two refused planning applications, two withdrawn applications and a withdrawn appeal, with highway matters forming the principal reason for refusal.
The Challenge
The principal concern related to pedestrian safety within the front forecourt.
The Highway Authority was concerned that customers and delivery vehicles would share the same space immediately outside the store entrance, creating the potential for conflict between pedestrians and vehicles. Previous proposals had been unable to satisfactorily address these concerns.
It was clear that simply providing another Transport Statement would not resolve the issue. A different approach was needed.
Our Solution
After reviewing how the site would operate, we developed an alternative forecourt arrangement that fundamentally changed the way customers and vehicles interacted.
Rather than treating the frontage as a conventional car park, we proposed pedestrianising the entire area immediately outside the store entrance. This was achieved by introducing a distinctive black and white striped surface treatment across the forecourt, clearly signalling that pedestrians had priority throughout the space.
The delivery arrangements were also completely reconsidered.
A comprehensive Delivery Management Plan was prepared, setting out how deliveries would be carefully managed, including timed vehicle arrivals, banksmen supervising reversing manoeuvres, temporary management of parking spaces during deliveries and operational procedures to minimise both risk and disturbance to neighbouring properties.
By combining innovative forecourt design with robust operational management, the proposal addressed the Highway Authority's concerns while maintaining the practical operation of the store.
The Outcome
The revised design successfully resolved the pedestrian safety concerns that had prevented previous applications from progressing.
Following our involvement, the Highway Authority removed its objection and recommended that planning permission be granted. Although the Planning Committee subsequently refused the application against professional advice, DW Transportation prepared a detailed appeal statement addressing both Members' concerns and third-party objections.
The Planning Inspector allowed the appeal, planning permission was granted and the client received a full award of costs.
Today, the SPAR store continues to operate successfully, with the pedestrian-focused forecourt forming an integral part of the completed development.
Services Provided
Transport Statement
Travel Plan
Delivery Management Plan
Vehicle Tracking
Forecourt Design
Access Design
Highway Safety Assessment
Planning Appeal Support
Why This Project Matters
This project demonstrates that transport planning is about more than producing reports.
Sometimes the solution lies in rethinking how a development operates.
By understanding the Highway Authority's concerns and developing an innovative yet practical design solution, we were able to unlock a development that had experienced years of planning difficulties.
