Supermarket Plans Under Fire (From Crewe Guardian)

Supermarket Plans Under Fire

2:32pm Tuesday 28th July 2009 in

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PLANS for a Sainsbury’s supermarket on Middlewich Road in Nantwich have come under fire from town councillors.

At the time of the original application in March, councillors voiced ‘grave concerns’ and urged planners to refuse the development because of the detrimental effect it could have on Nantwich businesses.

Despite a number of amendments made to the application local councillors remain opposed to the plans, insisting it will impact on local traders and threaten other developments in the area.

A town council spokesman said: “The council was pleased to hear the application was recommended for refusal by the planning officials on July 7, but disappointed to learn of a deferment for further talks and a site visit by the planning committee.

“We believe that this proposal will severely affect trade in Nantwich.

“The establishment of a ‘one stop shop’ selling household goods and clothes as well as food and alcohol, with parking without charge, will mean that shoppers will not trouble to travel that extra mile to Nantwich town centre.

“If refused, Sainsbury’s will have the right to have those issues aired at an appeal – experts will give evidence about the effect on shopping in Nantwich.

“Both sides would have a hearing.

“We believe that a planning inspector would refuse the application – but we also believe this would be a fair way to decide the matter.

“The presence of an enlarged supermarket on this site will mean the chances of the Snow Hill development taking place, which are already slim, will be further diminished.

“Properly handled this development could mean the revival of a shabby part of the town.

“The presence of a huge supermarket just outside the town will scupper it for good.

“While we understand that ‘lack of need’ is not a justification for refusal of an application, there must be a limit to the retail capacity of an area.

“The proposed major Sainsbury’s store at Crewe, which is welcome, must surely mean that other retail outlets will suffer by ‘a surfeit of Sainsbury’s’.

“We would urge Cheshire East Council to heed the views of their own experts and of local people and refuse the application.”