Council objects to new supermarket

11:12am Friday 4th April 2008

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Developers have amended their plans for a supermarket in Barnoldswick in the same week that town councillors voiced their objections for the first time.

After a public consultation, Maple Grove Developments has reduced the size of the proposed store by a sixth and widened the access from the Butts. The developers have also said they are willing to redesign delivery arrangements and, if necessary, restrict delivery hours.

�I think the store would suck the lifeblood out of the town.�

Coun David Whipp

However, town councillors unanimously recommended the application be refused.

Coun Richard Whiteley, chairman of the planning committee, said the main concerns related to access, a shortage of footpaths and the effect on the town centre.

Coun Margaret Bell said: "To think that they can force cars to access the Butts via single-lane traffic flow, which would be voluntary and without traffic lights, would be absolutely diabolical."

And she described the developer's claim that the supermarket could bring 90 per cent of the people who shopped outside Barnoldswick back into the town as "absolutely ludicrous".

This was echoed by Coun David Whipp, who said the claim was "so unrealistic, it was unbelievable".

"I think the store would suck the lifeblood out of the town," he added.

Coun Keith Bailey said supermarkets aimed to take 60 per cent of trade from existing businesses within the first three months. "Make no bones about it, they want everybody's business. We would end up with a town centre full of takeaways and charity shops," he said.

Residents will get their say on the revised proposals at a public meeting being held by Maple Grove Developments at the Rainhall Centre, Barnoldswick, between 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Monday.

And, on Thursday, electors will get the chance to vote on the question: "Do the residents of Barnoldswick support the proposed new supermarket development on the Butts?" The poll was given the go-ahead at the annual town meeting, even though it was initially thought the West Craven Committee could have determined the application beforehand. However, the committee will now consider the plans at a future meeting.

Residents can vote in the poll between 4pm and 9pm at their usual polling stations.