PLANS to develop a retail park on the outskirts of Newport are proposing to be changed — with the inclusion of a coffee chain drive-thru.

Announced earlier today (Friday) by South Coast Leisure (SCL), the owners of the former Newport Football Club ground on St George's Ways, are seeking to make the 'modern interpretation' of a retail park smaller and have gone to the Isle of Wight Council for approval.

Some of the key differences include another drive-thru outlet, which plans show to be a Costa Coffee, the removal of up to two retail units in the main terrace and an overall reduction in the size of retail floorspace.

Isle of Wight County Press:

 

Isle of Wight County Press: The main retail terrace will also shift slightly to allow for the movement of pre-existing power cables.

In October 2019, controversial plans were approved by the council's planning committee for the larger retail complex — which saw one councillor resign from the committee in protest.

A number of conditions were attached to the permission, stipulating exactly what type of shop could fill the units.

After the approval, McDonalds secured planning permission to install its famous golden arches signs at the site, along with an outdoor playground.

Now with the changes, further details of the proposed tenants can be found in planning documents submitted to the council's planning register.

Isle of Wight County Press:

In the announcement today, SCL confirmed all but one unit had tenants lined up and through a retail impact assessment by Savills, it is said a national chain of garden centres who 'focus on' homeware and DIY will occupy one unit and a 'Limited Assortment Discounter' foodstore, who only provide a limited range of core products' will fill another.

There are still queries over the second unit of the retail terrace, with proposals asking planners to allow flexibility — potentially subdividing the unit into two with a mezzanine level, although it is thought a 24-hour commercial gym would operate in that unit.

In the currently approved plans, that unit has a condition on it that prevents the sale of food, drink and clothing except where they make up no more than ten per cent of the net sales area.

The retail impact assessment on the new plans said, like the other plans, the development would not be likely to result in a significant adverse impact on Newport High Street.

Paul Airey, agent for the application, said the proposal would provide a beneficial addition to the retail offer in Newport, create more jobs on the Island and increased consumer choice.

Plans were also approved in 2019 to move Newport Football Club into a purpose-built stadium near the Racecourse Roundabout in Whippingham, with the costs being covered by the potential proceeds of the retail park.

It is hoped the relocation will be completed prior to the end of the 2021/22 football season.

But a second set of plans are now being mooted to build the stadium on Seaclose Park instead.

To view the revised retail park plans, 21/00682/FUL, you can view the council's planning register.

Comments will be accepted until May 17.