Is there sufficient retail capacity in Fleet?
The applicant’s conclusion that “…there is sufficient retail and food/beverage capacity in Fleet to support the proposed food store…” is not supported by its data, which shows a 489 sqm capacity deficit, even when using the upper bound for forecast capacity in 2027.
Convenience goods floorspace capacities in 2027 (RLTCS and applicant’s data):
Floorspace capacity (upper bound) = 1854 sqm (Retail Impact Assessment para. 2.15, accounting for Sainsbury's Hook)
less Lidl, Elvetham Heath, -1014 sqm (Retail Impact Assessment Table 7A)
Net capacity = -489 sqm
With the massive shift to online grocery shopping, if the referenced study were conducted today, it would undoubtedly show a lower capacity for convenience goods floorspace, so the true deficit is even worse.