Plans to install a car sales hub in a County Durham supermarket car park have been lodged with the council.
The proposal by Morrison Supermarkets seeks permission for a WeBuyAnyCar pod structure to occupy two parking bays in the northern section of Morrisons’ car park on Bob Hardisty Drive, Bishop Auckland.
It will require ten undesignated parking spaces for temporary vehicle storage, but the structure will operate off-grid, using solar panels for electricity and displaying WeBuyAnyCar signage on its exterior.
Each vehicle will remain in the car park for a maximum of 72 hours before being individually collected and transported to an auction house.
The pod will function within Morrisons’ regular operating hours and aims to integrate into customers’ existing shopping visits.
The site, located in Flood Zone 1, indicating a low probability of flooding, is part of Bishop Auckland’s Sub Regional Centre, in proximity to various residential areas, retail developments, sports clubs, schools, and an industrial park.
The proposal highlights compliance with several County Durham Plan policies, including those related to development on unallocated sites, the retail hierarchy and town centre development, sustainable transport, and sustainable design.
A sequential test is not required, as a town-centre location is deemed unsuitable for the pod's intended use.
The proposal also addresses potential impacts and compliance in various areas.
The loss of two parking spaces in Morrisons’ 499-space car park is considered negligible with no anticipated impact on highway safety.
The pod, due to its design and operation, will not generate significant noise or pollution.
It poses no increased flood risk due to the existing site drainage, and its small footprint, less than 25 square metres, exempts it from the biodiversity net gain requirement as it has no impact on vegetation.
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Morrisons supports the proposal as part of its strategy to expand services for customer convenience.
The application, which asserts full compliance with planning policies, seeks swift approval from the council.
Plans are now with the planning authority and Durham County Council will make a decision on the application in the coming weeks.
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