Representation by WH Smith Retail Holdings Limited (WH Smith Retail Holdings Limited)
- Date submitted
- 29 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
We act for W H Smith Retail Holdings Limited which is in occupation of Retail Unit 2, Eurostar Departure Lounge, Ebbsfleet International Station, Kent. Although Ebbsfleet International Station is currently closed due to the pandemic, our client intends to recommence trading from the unit as soon as reasonably practicable once the station reopens. Our client has received notification that a DCO application has been submitted which proposes to take temporary possession of its unit. We understand that the purpose of this temporary possession is in connection with construction of the new resort terminal building and upgrading works to the station to increase capacity. Unfortunately the documentation is very difficult to read and to satisfactorily conclude the period of time during which this temporary possession will be taken. This leads to significant uncertainty to our client and on that basis, we do not believe that either any attempt has been made to engage with our client over the promoter’s proposals or to establish our client’s plans for the unit. As compulsory acquisition even on a temporary basis must be the option of last resort we do not believe that the promoter has made sufficient effort to date to satisfy that requirement. Added to this, no attempt has been made to consult with our client which is a requirement prior to an application for a Development Consent Order being made. As a result, the amount of detail that has been supplied to our client in order for it to properly consider its position in the light of this application is wholly inadequate. Our client will need to see plans of the new terminal building showing the proposed departure and arrival points of trains and passengers in order to assess the potential impact on footfall and trade of Retail Unit 2 of the proposed development once it has been completed in addition to detail relating to the temporary possession of its unit during the construction phase of the development.