Fosse Shopping Park
RPS provided specialist retail planning advice to the owners of Fosse Shopping Park, including the preparation of a detailed Retail Assessment to support a planning application for the creation of a new ‘anchor’ retail unit for occupation by Primark (6,895m2) and a separate smaller speculative retail unit.
The scheme involved the reconfiguration of existing retail floor space (a former BHS unit), including the amalgamation of retail units and the provision of new mezzanine retail floor space.
We have provided the owners of Fosse Park with retail planning advice, alongside other consultants, for a number of years on estate management issues including the reconfiguration of retail units and the addition of mezzanine floor space.
Key details
Project name
Fosse Shopping Park
Client
F P North
Location
Leicester
Services provided
- Planning consultancy
- Retail assessment
Challenge
We were required to demonstrate that the proposals would not have a significant adverse effect upon relevant town centres within a core catchment area and that there were no sites capable of accommodating the proposals in more central locations. A key challenge related to the need to show that the vitality and viability of Leicester city centre would not be harmed.
Solution
RPS undertook early engagement with the Council’s planning officers to identify key issues and potential areas of concern relating to the proposed development in terms of retail planning policy.
We prepared a detailed retail assessment and was able to demonstrate by reference to the intended retail occupier that the proposed additional retail floorspace and re-configuration of existing retail units at the Shopping Park would not result in any harmful impacts upon town centres. The retailer’s requirement was such that there were no suitable and available sites within more sequentially preferable locations to accommodate the proposed development.
The Retail Assessment was informed by an on-street visitor survey undertaken at Fosse Park to capture the shopping habits of visitors to the Park and to understand where else visitors shopped for different types of goods. RPS worked closely with the Parks’ management team and an independent market research company to prepare the survey and interpret the results.