Hog’s Yard, that strip of land opposite the Tesco supermarket half a mile outside Whaley Bridge town centre, has been the subject of yet another planning application.

Hogs Yard

Planning officers of High Peak Borough Council have recommended outline planning permission for three  ‘stand alone’ retail units.  Mohammed Waheed of High Peak Developments made the application.

Plans include:

• 85 car parking spaces to the front of the new buildings, each of which would have its own service yard
• the buildings to be arranged  facing towards the access road and the Tesco building.

Conditions include:

• No more than 2230 sq m for comparison goods (*), and no sale of convenience foods

There have been many plans for Hog’s Yard, going back to the 1990s when outline permission was first given for a retail and business park. Plans for 29 houses were twice turned down.  The most recent plan, for mixed retail, business and restaurant, was turned down in 2012, but in April this year was allowed on appeal.

Whaley Bridge Town Council supported the latest plan, but was concerned that the parking spaces may not be enough.  The council also said construction of the site must not interfere with a planned Goyt River Bridge.

Planning officers noted that the bridge plan, approved in 2005, lies outside the area to be used by the projected retail units.

(*) Comparison goods can be described as goods that consumers buy at infrequent intervals and normally would compare prices before buying eg. TV, Fridges, clothes etc