Business · Chippenham
Greggs seeks planning permission to open new bakery at former Chippenham charity shop
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A planning application has been submitted to transform the vacant former Barnardo's shop in the Pewsham Shopping Centre into a new Greggs bakery.
A high street bakery chain has formally moved to occupy a vacant commercial unit in Chippenham that was the focus of an unsuccessful local campaign to save it from closure earlier this year.
Greggs has lodged a planning application with Wiltshire Council seeking permission to convert Units 5 and 6 at the Pewsham Shopping Centre on Lodge Road into a new bakery and food-to-go outlet. The site was previously home to a Barnardo's charity shop, which ceased operations on 2 May following financial pressures. The closure had prompted significant local concern, with more than 500 residents signing a petition in an attempt to preserve the premises as a community hub.
The developer's plans for the 123 square metre unit include the installation of a new shopfront, illuminated signage, and the implementation of air-conditioning and extraction systems. If granted approval, the proposed opening hours for the new outlet are 7.30am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, and 8am to 6pm on Sundays.
The proposal has prompted technical assessments regarding its potential impact on the surrounding area, particularly concerning the proximity of residential flats located at 22-28 Lodge Road. An initial odour assessment identified the nearby properties as being approximately nine metres from the proposed extract grille, labelling the potential impact as a high risk without mitigation.
In response to these findings, Greggs has proposed the installation of a specialised extraction and carbon-filter system. Consultants concluded that with these measures in place, the odour risk would be reduced to a low level and should not constitute a nuisance for nearby residents. A secondary noise assessment was also carried out, determining that the equipment associated with the bakery would have a low noise impact, with projected levels 15 decibels below the existing background noise levels measured at the nearest residential home.
Greggs has stated that the development aims to bring a currently vacant unit back into active use while creating new employment opportunities within the town. The application is currently under consideration by the local planning authority.
Source: Wiltshire Times — Chippenham · View original