Local Plan: doubts over golf course scheme

Plans for a Tesco on the outskirts of Herne Bay have been thrown into doubt after an application for a major development stalled.

Developers Quinn Estates have put on hold proposals to build a sports hub and supermarket on the former golf club site after questions were raised over Tesco's commitment to the scheme.

The official line is that negotiations with the retail giant, the third largest in the world, are "ongoing".

Yet the delay has been significant enough to force a rethink in strategy for Quinn Estates, which planned to build the supermarket and sports hub first before gaining planning approval for 400 homes and commercial properties.

The company now aims to submit a planning application for all its proposals together, which it says will ensure "certainty and deliverability".

Managing director Mark Quinn exclusively told the Gazette this would not rule out approaching other supermarkets or getting rid of a store all together. He said:

Mark Quinn

"We may consider not having a supermarket or having a small one. At the moment we are still negotiating with Tesco and we are not going to talk elsewhere until negotiations are resolved one way or the other. It will either have a food store or it won't. There will be housing there instead and some other mixed houses."

Once the outcome of negotiations with Tesco is clear, Quinn Estates aims to submit its new all-encompassing planning application in the fourth quarter of this year.  It then hopes to gain planning permission by this time next year, with work beginning from the middle of 2014.

Mr Quinn insists housing would be built after roads and the sports hub were put in place, including a state-of-the-art clubhouse and football, hockey and cricket pitches. He said:

"We have decided after much careful consideration that what's important is delivering what we say we are going to. The way we answer that is master planning the entire scheme and delivering it. We don't want to get planning for something and it then not to go ahead. By doing the whole scheme at once, we gain certainty and deliverability."

This latest development indicates that fears over Tesco's desire to come to Herne Bay may have been a long-running concern at Quinn Estates.

In February, Mr Quinn insisted to the Gazette his development was not reliant on a Tesco superstore being opened, but that having one would create jobs for local people and give them more shopping choice. Mr Quinn added:

"This development will definitely happen. What we are doing ensures that. All our plans are doing is evolving. They may or may not include a supermarket but we hope it does. We are waiting to see the outcome of these negotiations."

Despite several requests, Tesco had not given the Gazette a comment at the time of going to press.

HB Gazette 27th Jun 2013

Local Plan: Golf course might not get Tesco

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The developer behind plans for a new housing estate and sports centre at the former Herne Bay golf club has vowed it will go ahead - with or without a Tesco store.

Mark Quinn, of Quinn Estates, told members of Herne Bay Town Partners last week the scheme had been delayed as negotiations continued with the retail giant. An application was due to be submitted this summer for the supermarket. as well as a sports hub that would provide a home for four town clubs.

The store would provide income to allow the sports hub to go ahead as a gift to the town. But Mr Quinn said the scheme would now be dealt with as a whole rather than in two stages, with 400 houses and commercial units as well. He said:

"I told the group we would go for it with the whole scheme. whether Tesco were a part of it or not. It means a delay of four or five months but it guarantees certainty and that is not a bad thing. It means we create a solution for the whole scheme rather than just a part of it."

Both he and Tesco bosses insisted negotiations were continuing and a spokesman for Tesco said it remained committed to the scheme. Mr Quinn added:

"What is important for me is that we don't let down the sports clubs and that I deliver what I said I would. We are certain that it will happen and it will take place. Whether Tesco are in the mix or not, it will go ahead. I have spoken to all the chairmen of the sports groups and we are really confident with what is going on."

The hub would bring together Herne Bay's youth football team. cricket club, tennis club and hockey club on one site. A planning application should be submitted by the end of this year. and work could start by the middle of next year. It is expected to take 18 months to complete.

HB Times 27th Jun 2013

Local Plan: school on the golf course

A new school could be built in Herne Bay after land was ear-marked for educational development in the draft Local Plan.

Developers behind proposals for the former golf club confirmed talks are ongoing about putting a new secondary school on the site, along with a sports hub, supermarket and about 400 homes.

A map published with the Local Plan lays out an area to the west of the golf club site ear-marked for educational use.

The Gazette understands a school would be placed where developers initially planned to put a health club and sheltered accommodation.

Mark Quinn

Quinn Estates director Mark Quinn said:

"We have been speaking to several education providers and we will always look to work with the people of Herne Bay to create a community benefit for everyone."

Herne Bay MP Sir Roger Gale said:

"I regard the golf club proposals as very exciting. I have spoken with the developer and more than one school within the area, with a view to creating a secondary school on the site. We could create a satellite grammar school on that site."

Overall, the proposals would include about 400 homes, a Tesco, a sports hub and offices for small businesses. All of this has been included in the local plan.

Mr Quinn added:

"We think our site is one of the strongest in terms of community benefits and we are looking forward to working with Canterbury City Council and the people of Herne Bay to make this happen."

The first phase of Quinn Estates' proposals is expected to be sent for planning permission imminently. The developers are waiting for the opportunity to respond to a council report on the impact the development could have on retail in the area. Several sports clubs have been offered the use of facilities if the plans are approved.

Clive Cripps

Herne Bay Hockey Club chairman Clive Cripps said:

"I am delighted it has been included in the Local Plan. It takes us closer to making a reality what we have been dreaming-about over the past nine months. These are going to be a great benefit to the town. In the form it is planned, it will give the town the best sports facilities it's ever had and is ever likely to have."

Sir Roger said he had also held discussions with Quinn Estates about the inclusion of a school there. He added:

"I don't think the density of houses in this development would be too high"

Lost Identity

Herne and Broomfield parish council has sald it will oppose plans for a golf club development, althouqh councillors concede they wlll probably have to accept it. Clerk Monica Blyth said:

"Residents are concerned about loslnq the village's identity. We will be swallowed up and become a part of Herne Bay and Greenhill and that is not what anyone wants. We understand that we will probably have to have something."

The Details

A sports hub is the stand-out feature of the 400-home development. This would include eiqht hectares of cricket, tennis, football and hockey pitches, as well as open space. A hectare has been set aside for commercial use, which would become the Tesco site it Ouinn Estates' plans are approved. A separate leisure hub would include a doctor's surgery, businesses and a pub.

The plan says 1.25 hectares would be set aside for Herne Bay High School, but this is not understood to be part of the plans for a new school. Space for a care home has also been allocated. A footpath connecting the site to Herne would also be funded with the developers at Strode Farm. Developers would also have to contribute towards the cost of a Herne relief road at the farm and a level crossing in Sturry.

HB Gazette 9th May 2013