Politicians react to plans for 20,000 sq ft food hall in Amersham
Amersham’s MP and councillors have reacted to plans by Marks & Spencer to build a new M&S food hall in the town.
Located on White Lion Road, the store would offer the full M&S food range, including Nutrient Dense, Plant Kitchen, Only… Ingredients and Eat Well.
An in-store bakery and coffee counter, serving barista-made drinks, is set to be included, as well as a dedicated flower shop and plant range.
The 20,000sqft site would also have around 190 parking spaces, including accessible bays and parent-and-child spaces
If planning is approved, the new site would mark an investment in the town with a purpose-built store designed to meet the needs of today’s shoppers.
It would also create up to 100 jobs and support supplier jobs in the Buckinghamshire area. M&S said that the new store will reflect its commitment to low-carbon design and biodiversity enhancement.
Amersham Liberal Democrat councillors Mark Roberts, Kelly Thornton and Dominic Pinkney said they had already met with the supermarket to discuss the proposals ahead of formal plans being submitted.
They said: “As active local councillors, we have already met with Marks & Spencer to discuss the emerging proposals in detail ahead of the planning application being submitted, and we will be scrutinising the application very carefully when it arrives.
“The proposed site is the last remaining green belt field separating Amersham and Little Chalfont, and it was identified as unsuitable for development in the recent local plan site assessment because of the importance of preventing the two settlements from merging. We expect this application to be called in for full consideration by the Bucks planning committee.
“Residents will also expect the existing public footpath through the site, which provides access to the nearby SANG, to be protected and maintained, alongside careful assessment of the impact on highways, the environment, and the vitality of the high street.”
Sarah Green, MP for Chesham and Amersham, said it was important to take into account that no planning application had yet been made.
“I have at this stage asked M&S to meet with me to share their plans in more detail and so I can represent the views and concerns already expressed to me,” she added.
These plans mark the second proposed store in Buckinghamshire the premium supermarket chain has announced. It has also released plans for a 25,000sqft M&S Foodhall in Beaconsfield.
Reaction in Amersham has been divided. While the plans could bring up to 100 new jobs and greater grocery choice, residents are split over the location and whether the town needs another supermarket.