The Site
The site is the former Lidl at Western Promenade Road, in Wherry Town, Penzance.
The former Lidl store closed in 2017 when they moved into their current store adjacent to the site. The large supermarket building was subsequently demolished and the site has been vacant for 8 years.
Sustainable Location
The site sits at the western end of Penzance promenade, in a sustainable location, within a vibrant part of Penzance, adjacent to an array of leisure facilities, including the Promenade and Bolitho Gardens immediately opposite the site, the Penlee Bowling Club to the east and Alexandra Grounds to the west.
Numerous shops and services are within easy reach of the site, including those immediately adjacent to the site along Western Promenade Road, and those within a short walk from the site.
Planning context
The site was allocated for development in the Cornwall Site Allocations Development Plan Document (CSADPD) in 2019, with the expectation that it would be used for retail, office, and employment purposes.
Despite being vacant for eight years and having an allocation for development for six years, no viable proposals have come forward.
During this period the national and local economic conditions have shifted significantly, owing partly to the impact of COVID-19. As a result, the likelihood of the site being developed as originally envisioned in 2019 has diminished.
At the same time, Cornwall Council does not expect to be able to demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites under the Government’s updated housing requirements. As set out in the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Cornwall Council must now deliver 4,421 new homes per year, a substantial increase against the previous target of 2,707 homes annually.
Given the lack of viable commercial interest in redeveloping the former Lidl store site; and, the significant housing need across Cornwall, developing this vacant brownfield site for much needed retirement homes is expected be considered acceptable in planning terms.
The significant investment proposed by Churchill would also contribute to Cornwall’s housing needs and make a significant contribution locally in terms of social, economic and environmental benefits.
Churchill have a strong track-record in delivering the sites on which they secure planning permissions.
Interactive Map showing the location of the site
Images of the existing site
Photographs of the existing site
Photographs of the area around the site