Meeting to debate three Barnoldswick supermarket bids (From Craven Herald)

Meeting to debate three Barnoldswick supermarket bids

10:00am Saturday 18th August 2012 in News

Plans for three new supermarkets in Barnoldswick are to go before a special council meeting.

Pendle Borough Council is currently considering supermarket plans from Tesco, Aldi and another, undisclosed store.

All three plans will be debated by a special meeting of the West Craven Committee on Monday.

Tesco has currently two identical planning applications running for the same L&P site off Wellhouse Road, one of which it has taken to appeal after the council failed to make a decision within the required amount of time.

Tesco’s resubmitted planning application seeks permission for a 3,344 square metre foodstore, with vehicular access from Wellhouse Road and Masons Way.

Officers are recommending that the application be referrred to the Secretary of State, with an indication that the council would be minded to approve the application subject to conditions.

The original scheme had also been recommended for approval by planning officers.

The proposed store would create up to 175 new jobs and help secure the long term future of L&P Springs, safeguarding 36 jobs and providing the opportunity for the company to expand its operations.

German-owned Aldi, the “no frills” supermarket, has stepped in to take on the former Gas Works Yard, opposite the proposed new Tesco, after interest from Asda fell through.

The store, smaller than the other two proposals, would cover 1,472 square metres, with parking for 71 cars. It could create up to 30 jobs.

Officers have recommended approval, providing “an acceptable contribution” is made to town centre improvements and the marketing of the town.

“The level of financial contribution must be adequate to ensure that the potential adverse impacts do not harm the town centre,” say officers in a report to Monday’s meeting.

The third application for land next to Victory Park has been submitted by Albert Hartley Ltd and development partner Capital and Centric Plc.

It seeks outline permission for a new 3,500 square metre manufacturing facility for the textile company currently based at Crownest Mill.

Included in the application is a 3,348 square metre food store, a 223-space car park and new public space, adjoining Victory Park.

Refusal has been recommended on the grounds that the development, due to its size, when taken in conjunction with the Tesco scheme, would have an unacceptable detrimental impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre.

* The meeting will be held at Rolls-Royce Social Club on Skipton Road, Barnoldswick, at 6pm.

Members of the public are invited to attend and can speak on items in which they have a direct interest.