A supermarket in Hampton Hill could get a single-storey retail pod installation and new signage.

Sainsbury's Ltd has submitted a planning application seeking permission for the "Construction of single storey retail pod and associated signage" at its store located on Uxbridge Road.

In a planning application document, WSP, on behalf of Sainsbury's said: "The application site measures just 56sqm, but forms part of the larger Sainsburys Supermarket site measuring 9.66 hectares in area.

"This application seeks full planning permission for the construction of a single storey retail pod, extending just 15sqm (GEA) operated by We-Buy-Any-Car (WBAC).

"The accompanying planning and drawings submitted with this application detail the location and design of the pod, which is proposed to be located in the western most corner of the car park of the existing Sainsburys store.

"The installation of the pod will result in the loss of four car parking spaces. The existing car parking level is 485, and the proposed number of car parking spaces will be 481. Please refer to the enclosed drawing pack and signage details which specify the details of each proposed sign (Signs 1-14).

"All signs will be non-illuminated and non-reflective with colours innkeeping with similar WBAC pods seen across the country. The pod will be supplied with 4 solar panels located on the roof.  The pod will be operated by We-buy-any-car (WBAC), as a kiosk where either an appointment for the valuation of a car is booked or speculatively decided on site. The cars are subsequently appraised on site, a price agreed and paperwork filled out.

Drawings of the proposed We Buy Any Car signange (Credit: WSP / Richmond Council planning applications)

"The pod will not contain any money as this will all be done by bank transfer. Typically these pods deal with, on average, 12 cars a week.

"The cars are then taken off site within 24 hours of the purchase and sold at a local auction within seven days. No cars are sold, repaired or cleaned on site. The pod will be built off-site and delivered complete and will be fully accessible from the car park.

"It will be positioned in the car park such that it will not impact on its use. Pods such as this are a concept that Sainsbury's has introduced at many of its stores elsewhere. The introduction of the pod is as a result of the considerable time and effort taken by Sainsbury's to understand the type of services their customers require when they shop."

The site currently comprises of four car parking spaces. The application site is located in the car park of the existing Sainsbury's site, towards the western boundary of the sites car park.

The store is located off the A312 Hampton Road East to the north and is bound to the south by a treeline perimeter and Longford River.

The surrounding area is predominantly residential to the south and west of the site. To the north of the site, there is a David Lloyd Leisure Centre and Fulwell Golf Course.

The existing supermarket can be access via two bus stops along Hampton Road East, both within 200m of the site entrance.

The application document added: "The proposal compromises the installation of 14 vinyl graphics, none of which will be illuminative or reflective. These would advertise WBAC's logo and slogans which are typical of WBAC pods across the country. 

"The proposed signage is a subtle design and pallet with green exterior blending well with the existing trees to the southern elevation. This means the pod will be in accordance with Policy LP1 of the Local plan. 

"There are various existing retail advertisements across the vicinity of the site, including ones related to the existing Sainsburys store, existing car wash and existing petrol station.

"The signs that are proposed as part of this application will therefore have no adverse impact on amenity, given the existing commercial context, the number of existing signs already installed, and the fact that the signs are static and non-illuminated. The proposal is therefore in accordance with Chapter 12 of the NPPF."

It continued: "The proposed retail pod will be located at an existing, allocated and well-established retail supermarket site that compromises of and border buildings of various designs, scale and materialities.

"A pod in a location such as this is commonplace, and its design will complement the existing character. The proposal will have no adverse impact with regard to amenity, highways or public safety, and it is compliant with local and national planning policy."

Richmond Council is yet to make a decision on this application and expects to make a decision by 21 November.

You can view the full application here.