The former Homebase site at Victoria Retail Park in Ruislip is set to be transformed into a Marks & Spencer store, following approval from Hillingdon Council's Planning Committee.
The committee granted permission for the continuation of the site's use as a retail unit, which will include external alterations, the demolition of the existing garden centre structure, and the provision of a plant area, new trolley bays, and cycle parking.
The unit at Victoria Retail Park was previously occupied by The Range and before that by Homebase. The site is described as a large-format retail warehouse.
The new Marks & Spencer store will feature 1,686 square metres of convenience goods sales floor space, with specific types of convenience goods to be prioritised within this area. An independent retail consultant reviewed the submitted assessments and found no significant adverse impact on town centres.
Conditions have been imposed to restrict the amount and location of convenience goods floor space. Specifically, no more than 1,686sqm may be used for the sale of convenience goods, and these sales would be restricted to the ground floor only.
The store's operating hours will be from 08:00 to 22:00 Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 to 18:00 on Sundays and Bank Holidays. This represents a slight extension to regular Saturday trading hours, from 21:00 to 22:00, though the explicit rationale and expected benefit are not stated but implied for operational purposes.
The proposal includes the installation of new trolley bays and 34 cycle parking spaces. The detailed design of the cycle parking will be secured by condition to demonstrate compliance with London Cycle Design Standards. Maintenance of landscaping, which includes refuse storage, is also to be secured by condition.
The applicant advises that the proposed store would create up to 123 additional jobs. The meeting information does not detail potential job displacement.
Further details regarding the planning committee meeting can be found in the Public reports pack and the Decisions document.