Secretary of State grants planning permission for new designer outlet centre at Scotch Corner

The Secretary of State has granted two planning permissions for alternative proposals for a new fashion outlet centre at Scotch Corner, at the junction of the A1(M) and the A66 in North Yorkshire. A copy of the decision can found here.  The larger of the two consented schemes would have a total gross internal floor area (GIA) of some 23,381 sq. m comprising 84 Class A1 Retail units with mezzanine floors; 8 Class A3 Food & Drink units and 1,291 car parking spaces and would generate some 700 jobs. ​ The smaller scheme would have a GIA of 16,178 sq. m comprising 70 Class A1 Retail units with mezzanine floors, of varying size; 8 Class A3 Food & Drink units and 1,138 car parking spaces and would create 500 jobs.  The schemes were supported by the Local Planning Authority, Richmondshire District Council, but opposed by a number of local authorities on grounds of (inter alia) retail impact on local town centres.  The Secretary of State concluded that the scheme passed the sequential test and would not harm the vitality and viability of local town centres, noting that even on Darlington Borough Council's case (a 6.9% impact) the impact would not be significantly adverse. Christopher Katkowski QC and Richard Moules represented the developer, Scotch Corner Richmond LLP. Robert Walton represented Richmondshire District Council.