Sainsbury's applies to expand Shrewsbury home delivery service

Sainsbury's at Meole Brace has applied to the council's planning department for permission to build a distribution hub with parking for eight vans and two "click + collect" spots. There would also be alterations to the car parking.

A statement prepared by WYG on behalf of the supermarket said: "The proposal will be situated at the side of the existing store, on the southern elevation.

"The site currently comprises the existing Grocery Online (GOL) canopy and loading area and part of the customer car park. The facility will be operated from within the new GOL service yard proposed adjacent to the GOL hub to the south. This will allow the loading/access of the online vehicles without affecting the existing loading/unloading arrangements.

"The proposed GOL hub has a maximum roof height of 3.8m and the associated canopy, to ensure all weather loading, will be 3.3m high, allowing sufficient clearance beneath the structure for the delivery vehicles to park during loading.

"The siting of the GOL hub has been designed to work within the vehicle track plots, for the GOL delivery vehicles which use the new service yard. In order to accommodate the GOL hub the number of car parking spaces to the side of the store is to be reduced by 39. The existing recycling area will also be reconfigured."

A previous application for the erection of a GOL distribution hub was submitted to the council in February and was subsequently withdrawn in April.

According to the applicant the proposed hub will assist in promoting more sustainable travel patterns. On average, each van can make up to three trips per day and up to 10 deliveries per trip, thus potentially reducing up to 30 cars travelling to the Sainsbury’s store.

The matter will go before Shropshire Council's planning committee at a future date.