A Nottinghamshire shopping centre at 'end of its natural life' is set to become a new Lidl and takeaway. The Rosemary Centre on Walkden Street, Mansfield, would be demolished and replaced with a Lidl and a food and drink takeaway, if Mansfield District Council's planning committee follows a recommendation to approve the scheme on April 24.
The town’s Argos store was once based in the former mill building, but most of the upper floors are now vacant. Iceland and Domino’s Pizza still trade from premises on the ground floor, but developer Peveril Securities previously said the shopping arcade had "reached the end of its natural life" after 70 years.
As well as the Lidl and takeaway, there would also be another retail unit and 150 car parking spaces. Despite being recommended for approval, the plan has raised concerns from the council's conservation officer and Nottingham Police.
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Mansfield's conservation officer objected to the proposal, stating they would prefer elements of the "pivotal" building to be retained and converted, instead of a full demolition. In a consultation comment, the officer added: "In comparison to the loss of the existing building, the proposed replacement building to the site is not considered of architectural merit and does not contribute positively to its surroundings".
A representative for Nottinghamshire Police, which was consulted during the planning process, warned crime levels near the site were higher than average, with shop theft being "particularly high". The consultee added: "With the proposed development being mainly a supermarket building care must be taken to mitigate these risks".
However, Mansfield District Council's economic development officer and its planning officer explained the project would bring significant economic benefits to the area. In a report submitted ahead of the committee, which advised councillors to approve the plan, a planning officer said: "The proposed retail uses and a food and drink takeaway unit in this location are considered to be acceptable in principle. The scheme would secure a viable commercial use for a brownfield site within Mansfield town centre.
"As discussed in the main body of this report, it is considered that there would be some harm to the setting of the adjacent Conservation Area through the loss of the original mill element of the buildings that currently occupy the site.
"On balance, it is considered that the economic benefits of the scheme outweigh the harm that arises from the proposed development, which it is considered has been reduced by the inclusion of the soft landscaping on the southern edge of the development."
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