Council backs plan for town centre supermarket

Sep 15 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a supermarket in the heart of Neston have moved a step closer despite vigorous opposition from local businesses.

Councillors have approved proposals for a Sainsbury’s to be included in redevelopment plans for the south Wirral market town, in spite of fears it could damage trade for smaller shops.

It follows a fierce battle by locals who had hoped to force the council into a re-think, after a combined bid by developer CTP and Sainsbury’s won a competition to re-design an area behind the town hall.

Ellesmere Port and Neston council wants to attract shoppers back to the town with the plans for a 33,000sq ft supermarket to be built in conjunction with flats and offices on the council-owned land.

But more than 2,000 people signed a petition against the scheme.

Last night, resident and campaigner Jean Clayton accused the council of “going the wrong way” about regenerating the town. She said: “Our argument is Neston would benefit better from a Tesco Homeplus-type store.

“And we can’t understand why they are putting offices into this development when they could put in more shops.

“But most bizarre is the flats – who would want to live above a busy supermarket?”

The council says the town is suffering from too many local people going outside the area to do their shopping.

Recent figures published by the authority said 70% of people do their weekly shopping away from the town centre.

Council leaders argue the development will complement other schemes being carried out by the Neston Market Town Initiative, like improvements to shop fronts.

It is now expected a planning application from Sainsbury’s should be with the council by Christmas and will then be subject to public consultation.

liammurphy