Dear Editor,
I would like to thank the PC for their enlightened approach to the proposed new Food Store development next to the Community Centre (CC).

They had the plans on view; they had an adjournment to the meeting to elicit the opinions of the public in attendance, and they gave as much time as the individuals needed to put their views forward.

To view the application online go to www.ukplanning.com [4], the planning application number is Y10/0090/SH, there is link on this application to register objections or support which has to be done within 21 days of publication of the application which was about 5th Feb 10.

When the development plans for Hawkinge were put forward, many years ago, there was much forward thinking in providing infrastructure and allowing for future development; a bypass was built to allow proper throughput of traffic and give good access to the employment land without having to subject the residential roads to heavy traffic and Lorries etc.

This new Food Store will require deliveries via Heron Forstal Avenue (HFA) and Pritchard Drive and will take away parking areas used by the CC. and consume those left with its own patrons.

The householders in these roads will have their Lives Wrecked with the additional Shopper Traffic, and movement of delivery lorries that will be too big to negotiate the roundabouts as well as overspill parking when events at the CC attract capacity attendance. Remember the Ghurkas Fair when the village green was sensibly used to prevent inconveniencing local home owners.

How will the lorries get to the store if cars are parked along HFA as per the Fun Day.

It is a shame that SDC had originally put forward outline permission for this lands use for a Food Store at the time of the CCs conception, as it is this that has prompted the current planning applications.

Do we need three Food Stores (well Supermarkets) in Hawkinge?

It is a speculative proposed development so we may still only have two stores in Hawkinge if say Tesco moved into it what then of the shop currently used by Tesco?

We have Employment land for such developments we do not need commercial developments in residential areas.

Here's a couple of thoughts:

The land in question is owned by SDC it would be sensible to turn it into a green parking area (not just tarmac or concrete) and accept that the CC needs it if it is function as designed and not end up attracting large attendances with nowhere to park.

The hideous building, that could only be built by a council, previously called the Hawkinge Neighbourhood Management Partnership office, could be moved into the area too and land it was on could be used by Tesco to expand if required.

Regards,
Michael