Canal Trust objects to plans to replace Worksop's Matalan store
Concerns have been raised about plans to demolish the current Matalan premises off Eastgate in Worksop, and replace it with another building that would house a Home Bargains store.
The Chesterfield Canal Trust has written to Bassetlaw Council, listing its objections to 'the loss of a building that has character and presence in the street scene, with loss of the prominent canalside elevation which is an important part of the canal's urban character'.
The Trust is against the replacement of the existing building 'with a building that is smaller, lower and much less interesting'.
In a letter to Bassetlaw Council's planning chief, Alistair Curran, the Trust points out that 'the existing Matalan building is no architectural gem, but
at least it has a ‘presence’ in the street scene.
It continues: 'When it was built 40 years ago as a Co-op store, an effort was clearly made to produce a design that would reflect the strongly urban character of the area.
'The same cannot be said of the current proposal.
'It is disappointing to see a familiar and prominent building replaced by one that is smaller, lower and less interesting. The south elevation, facing the canal, will be particularly insignificant compared with the existing building.
'As stated before, this is a notable stretch of urban waterway, unique in Bassetlaw, and it deserves better'.
The trust has requested the council to resist the proposal in its present form, and to ‘press the applicants to produce a more imaginative scheme, worthy of its setting'.
The planning application by national retailer TJMorris Ltd, which operates Home Bargains, seeks permission to knock down the Matalan store to make way for the new proposal.
An existing 140-space car park with the unit would be reduced by 20 car parking spaces under the plans, with access through the existing junction from Eastgate.
A spokesperson for Bassetlaw District Council said: “A planning application has been received by the Council for this proposed development. A decision will be made in due course, in line with our planning processes.”
The consultation period for this application has ended.
Comments made in response to the application on the Council's website include concerns that the application is in conflict with plans to rejuvenate the town centre, and that it ‘further reduces the retail offering available to shoppers’.
It states: 'This may be a better investment for the developer but does nothing to retain footfall in the town centre and removes another well known brand from the high street'.
Another said that customers shop at Matalan 'for specific things they can not find anywhere else', and further comments include: 'I believe this would mean the loss of Matalan which would be detrimental to the people of the town as there are fewer and fewer places to shop in Worksop especially for clothing'.
The basic application reads as follows: ‘Demolish Existing Building (Class E) and Erect a Replacement Building (Class E) With Access and Servicing Arrangements, Car Parking, Landscaping, Sprinkler Tank, Condenser Units and Associated Works’.
TJ Morris was approached about the plans that are before Bassetlaw Council planners, but declined to comment.