In 2018 Ocado submitted a planning application to Sutton Council for a new depot on the site of a former Superdrug HQ on Beddington Lane, an industrial area in south London. It was rejected by the Council.
The story was covered by the Sutton & Croydon Guardian.
The article notes the application was rejected at planning committee and quotes Beddington North ward Cllr Jillian Green who had concerns about the impact of the depot. It also notes that
“The residents are fed up with the roadworks, they’re fed up with the heavy lorries, and now we’ve got more traffic being put upon us.”
“I see they’re promising 200 jobs. Well in my experience in business, and it is very wide, those jobs will not go to local people. They will be going to people from outside the borough because that is what normally happens.”
As you can see from the map below, the site is in a densely industrial area not near a school or houses. Despite this, Councillors still had concerns around the impact of extra traffic generated from the depot .
The planning committee report below details the reasons for refusal.
If Sutton Council can refuse Ocado permission to open a depot on industrial land not near a school and houses then Islington Council must refuse Ocado permission to open a damaging 24/7 depot next to a primary school and nursery and just metres from residents homes. Once it’s there, it’s there forever.
