Sainsbury's could open new Bury St Edmunds store after being named as occupier for a retail unit on Lark Grange community hub area

A new Sainsbury’s store has been mentioned within documents for an application for a retail area on a new development.

The application by LSP Developments Ltd is for the ‘local centre’ on the wider housing estate at Lark Grange, on the edge of Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, near the Flying Fortress pub.

The plans, submitted to West Suffolk Council, set out the details for the construction of this area, which would include a single building to house two retail units, servicing yard, parking spaces and landscaping.

The noise assessment submitted with the application says the intention is the larger main retail unit will be used as a convenience store operated by Sainsbury’s.

It adds that the second, smaller retail unit will be operated by a hot food vendor, with both intended to operate between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.

An application running alongside this ‘reserved matters’ application seeks to increase the gross floor area within the local centre to more than 400sqm.

A planning statement said: "The proposed variation seeks to allow for the increased footprint of the proposed local centre in order to provide high quality retail space that will be able to accommodate a wide variety of uses and thereby increase its appeal to the local community.

"The increased floorspace will allow for greater choice of goods and services for the benefit of community amenity."

The local centre would be to the south of the residential area of Lark Grange, with allotments directly to the south of the site, and further south is Sybil Andrews Academy.

Getting onto the site would be via Lady Miriam Way, with access for pedestrians, cyclists, car and public transport users.

A total of 19 car parking spaces would be provided with two blue badge bays and one space for electric vehicle charging.

The planning statement said whilst this is a reduction on the approved indicative provision of 21 spaces, a car park of 56 spaces to the east would provide for the needs of the local centre as well as pub users and casual visitors, plus there was a desire to encourage walking and cycling.

The proposals also include the provision of a cycle store allowing for the storage of eight bicycles.

The local centre could be open in March 2024, according to the preliminary delivery plan.

Bury St Edmunds currently has a Sainsbury's supermarket located on Moreton Hall.

Sainsbury's was approached for comment.