Retail - Wiltshire Council

3.18 Apart from the Library and the City Hall, third parties control all adjoining land that hasthe potential to be included in a wider redevelopment scheme. The pattern of landownership is felt to be straightforward for a city centre site.3.19 Sainsbury’s have had a long-standing requirement for a new flagship store inSalisbury city centre as the current store is under-sized compared with current requirements.Harvest has developed future store layout options which have been taken to Harvest’s Boardwhich comprise directors of both companies. On 10 December 2008 Harvest’s Board signedoff the end of the Feasibility Stage which agreed the preferred store size and layout.However this information is still confidential to Sainsburys.3.20 Justification for growthThe proposal to redevelop The Maltings and Central Car Park with a major retail-led schemeis predicated on the Salisbury Vision’s assessment that it is required to enable the city tomaintain its position as a sub-regional shopping centre in the face of increasing competitionfrom nearby towns and cities. In particular, the Vision recognises the constraints imposed bySalisbury’s historic built environment. It calls for the development of large footplate shopsthat will be attractive to national retailers who wish either to relocate from inadequatepremises within the city centre or are currently unable to find premises locally.3.21 This assessment of unmet demand from retailers and the need for Salisbury toimprove its retail offer to shoppers has been a consistent theme of retail consultants’ studiesgoing back to the early 1990s. Most recently, a study undertaken by GVA Grimley LLP forthe emerging South Wiltshire LDF Core Strategy summarised the situation as follows:3.22 Our analysis identifies a vital and viable town centre … We have, however, identifiedpotential signs of vulnerability and barriers to growth, as well as opportunities to enhance andstrengthen the centre … At present, Salisbury is not a first choice shopping destination for anumber of shoppers who instead choose to visit competing centres such as Southampton.Without new development in Salisbury, this position will only be exacerbated over the [LocalDevelopment Framework] period, as competing centres continue to improve and implementproposals in the pipeline ... In a ‘do nothing’ scenario Salisbury will fall further behind thelarger stronger centres, and it is crucial for Salisbury to encourage investment and newretailers. 13.23 Salisbury DC granted planning permission on 29 June 2004 (S/2002/0802) for aredevelopment of the Maltings. This was a modest extension of the Sainbury’s store, ratherthan a comprehensive redevelopment of the entire site. When the GVA Grimley RLNS wasundertaken they were aware that this scheme would not proceed but they were unaware ofthe implications of the change in ownership of the Maltings site, again making the schememore deliverable..3.24 Site FeasibilityA feasibility study has been carried out by Alder King on behalf of Salisbury District Councilto examine the likely capital and revenue implications in the immediate and long term. This iscurrently confidential. Although a report was taken to the Implementation Executive ofWiltshire council on 11 March 2009.3.25 In December 2007, SDC commissioned consultants Alder King to undertake afeasibility study of the proposed redevelopment of The Maltings and Central Car Park. AlderKing presented their final report in July 2008.The consultants approached the study by carrying out a thorough assessment of the site andits environs to determine the extent of constraints and opportunities, including current third1 GVA Grimley LLP, Salisbury District Council – Retail and Leisure Needs Study, October 2006.CM09030/F 36