Royal grocer Waitrose has joined hundreds of residents and a heritage group in Buxton, Derbyshire, in opposing a £100 million redevelopment plan for the town's Springs shopping center. The project is spearheaded by Capital & Centric, a property developer whose co-founder, Tim Heatley, is an ally of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
The plan, which is supported by the local Labour-run council and has received taxpayer funding, aims to transform the aging shopping center into a mixed-use destination with new homes, shops, and entertainment spaces. However, a key point of contention is the proposed reduction of the town center's main public car park from 431 spaces to 142, a cut of nearly two-thirds. Waitrose, the only large supermarket in the town center, relies heavily on this car park for its customers.
In a 27-page objection, Waitrose's agent, Adam Bunn, stated that the supermarket is "extremely concerned" that the parking reduction will diminish its attractiveness as a shopping destination. A 2022 council study indicated that the Waitrose store generates £10 million in annual spending and acts as an "anchor" for other local businesses. The objection highlights that the plan does not adequately address where displaced parking demand will go, the suitability of alternative parking for main food shopping trips, or the needs of mobility-impaired shoppers.
Capital & Centric's proposal includes the construction of urban-style buildings up to five stories high. This design has drawn criticism from the Buxton Civic Association, a heritage group, which bemoans the "omission of high-quality materials such as local stone" in a town known for its Georgian and Regency architecture. The group argues that the scale, height, and materials are more characteristic of a major urban development than a sympathetic addition to a historic town center.
The High Peak Borough Council is contributing £4.2 million of its own funds to the scheme, in addition to £6.6 million from the government's Future High Streets fund used to acquire the shopping center. The development also plans to include 332 new residential flats and 45,700 square feet of commercial space. The council has proposed a new 200-space car park on a former rail depot, but a planning application for this has not yet been submitted. Waitrose argues that this alternative location would be inconvenient for shoppers, particularly those with trolleys or mobility issues.
More than 600 individuals and organizations have commented on the plans, with the majority expressing objections. Some residents have criticized Capital & Centric's designs as resembling "urban sprawl from Manchester." Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact on tourism in a town with limited public transport, given the reduction in car parking availability, which is often near capacity on weekends.
Capital & Centric acknowledged that Waitrose's objection primarily concerns parking and operational impacts. The developer stated that these issues are "capable of being resolved through amendments and planning conditions" and expressed confidence in reaching a "sensible conclusion." A Waitrose spokesperson reiterated the company's overall support for the regeneration and its ongoing discussions with developers.
The council's planning committee is scheduled to make a decision on the proposals in the autumn. The project has garnered support from some locals who see the £100 million investment as a vital opportunity for town regeneration, though even some supporters share concerns about the parking situation.