A BASINGSTOKE store will be allowed to increase the space they use to sell confectionary, despite a plea from a councillor and small businesses.

B&M, based on Worting Road next to Morrisons, were already found to be using more space to sell seasonal food, drink and confectionary than was allocated in a previous planning application, a councillor said.

This poses great risks to business in the area, according to ward councillor Mike Westbrook (BDI, Brookvale and Kings Furlong).

Speaking to try and convince members of the Development Control committee meeting last week to refuse the retrospective planning application, Cllr Westbrook said: “We don’t see many objections to a variation of conditions and my objections is for my residents in Brookvale and Kings Furlong.

“I’m not against new business, but I wish to value and support existing business.

“My fear is that we will only begin to see the real impact of adjusting these conditions if businesses begin to fail, and by then it will be too late.”

Planning permission was approved for the unit to be converted into retail space in July 2012, with a condition placed on the amount of space that could be used to sell food and drink, in order to preserve other stores in the area.

However, this was modified in 2018 to allow for another 215 square metres of food and drink, and the planning application approved last week allows for an extra 42 square metres of space.

This was objected by local businesses, including Mark Buttress, of Jay Bees Convenience Store in Kings Furlong.

He said: “The council have already significantly increased B&M retail food space. Then they get caught yet again selling food products where they are not allowed, only for yet another application like this.

“Where is the protection to other retail businesses in the area that these big companies can just ignore the council, then when they get caught, simply apply to increase their food selling space?

“I believe that this could set a precedent for the council.”

Cllr Westbrook added that Morrisons, Brighton Hill district centre as well as parades in Brookvale and South Ham could be put at risk of failure because of this adjustment.

“To me, it’s not just this one, it’s the cumulative effect and we keep on seeing more and more adding on.

“The smaller shops are so important to prevent social isolation”.

Despite Cllr Westbrook’s plea, councillors on the DC committee approved to proposals.