Asda Retail Parc Straiton
Proposed Development
The proposed development is the erection of commercial units on an existing vacant brownfield derelict site, which may include the following uses: Class 1A (shops, financial, professional and other services), Class 3 (food and drink), Class 11 (assembly and leisure) and Class 4 (business).
Site
The site is integral to the existing Straiton Commercial Centre. The proposed site is located within Loanhead, between the A701 Straiton Road and the existing Pentland Industrial Estate. To the immediate
North is the Asda Superstore and to the south is the Western Nissan car dealership and Niven’s Knowe Road.
Straiton Commercial Centre includes naonal retail and food brands including Next, Boots, McDonalds and Costa. The Straiton area also includes numerous other commercial offerings such as Ikea, Costco and Sainsbury’s. The local area is characterised by various employment occupiers, commercial and retail operators, focused on a Midlothian catchment.
Local Development Plan
The development plan covering the site comprises:
- Natonal Planning Framework 4 (2023)
- Midlothian Local Development Plan (2017)
In accordance with The Local Development Plan (LDP), the site lies within the defined Commercial Centre ‐ Straiton Commercial Hub where the role of the centre is to accommodate development serving the regional catchment which cannot be accommodated in the regional town centre or a strategic town centre, or to serve development with a primary Midlothian catchment which cannot be accommodated in a Midlothian Town Centre.
Subject to design options being further explored, a positive case can be justified for the proposed uses, with policy being supportive of such development within an identified Commercial Centre. NPF4 Policy 28
a) ii) states that ‘development proposals for retail (including expansions and changes of use) will be consistent with the town centre first principle. This means that new retail proposals will be supported
in edge‐of‐centre areas or in commercial centres if they are allocated as sites suitable for new retail development in the LDP’.
Transportation
The proposals are designed to safely accommodate pedestrians and cyclists internally within the site as well as connections to bus stops and the wider walking and cycling network in the area. Internally, designated crossing locations are proposed within the car park, and cycle parking is to be in secure and accessible locations.
The primary vehicle access is via the existing signal junction access on the A701, and mini roundabout shared with Asda. The secondary access point via Nivens Knowe Road is also to be maintained. Detailed proposals for service access are under discussion, for further final design. The aim is to segregate servicing vehicles as soon as possible within the site to ensure safe management and a pleasant customer experience.
The impact of the proposal on the local road network is being assessed and the scope and methodology for that has been discussed and agreed with Midlothian Council Roads Team. This assessment will be presented in the Transport Assessment submitted for the application
and will include assessment of the A701 / Asda signal junction. Similarly, the potential type and scale of use of the Nivens Knowe Road access is also being reviewed. Network operation is important to us to ensure customers can access the site safely and without significant delay.
Midlothian Council has highlighted to us their intention for changes along the A701. These changes are however being independently developed by Midlothian Council. For clarity, there is no proposal for any reduction in vehicle space or restriction of movements associated with the Asda Retail Parc development. The proposals have been developed to ensure they do not preclude future changes that may be brought forward by the Council.
Timeline and Next Steps
A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) was submitted to Midlothian Council on Monday 19th February 2024. This starts a minimum 12 week consultation period for the proposed development. A detailed planning application will be submitted to Midlothian Council mid May 2024.
For further information, please contact David at david@caltonplanning.co.uk.
Thank you for attending this event and for participating in the development of our proposals. Your attendance and feedback are appreciated.
