Developers defend supermarket plans

12:20pm Friday 11th April 2008

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Developers have reduced the size of the planned supermarket in Barnoldswick after Pendle Borough Council said it was too big.

At a public meeting on Monday, Maple Grove Developments unveiled modified plans for the supermarket on the Carlson Filtration site at The Butts.

The store has been reduced from 4,645 square metres to 3,575, although there would still be 278 parking spaces.

Steve Abbott, planning consultant for Maple Grove, said the plans were reviewed after Pendle Council said the site was too big.

"We had used different retail analyses, both of which were nationally approved, but there was a bit of scientific debate about it," he said.

"Government policy states that supermarkets should be built either in a town centre or right next to it. Land use patterns in old towns like Barnoldswick are often very tight, but because of the Government policy, room has to be found for the supermarket in the town centre. We always do our best to make it fit right."

The developers said they had tried to address some of the concerns raised by residents.

Group architect Alex McCrickard said the main concerns were traffic and the effect the supermarket would have on existing shops.

Currently, people living on Calf Hall Lane have problems with lorries reversing into the road to turn around.

"This would not be the case with the supermarket because there would be room for turning within the site," Mr McCrickard said. "There would not be a need for goods vehicles on Calf Hall Lane."

He also said that changes to The Butts would make the traffic situation better than at present.

As for the effect on the town centre, the developers believe that if people stayed in Barnoldswick to use a supermarket, it would boost trade for other businesses too.

Mr McCrickard said: "All we can do is explain what our views are and where we are coming from. We are trying to offer specific solutions to specific problems."

Representatives from Maple Grove Developments said they had received mixed responses about the development.

"Some people have been supportive and said that Barnoldswick needs another supermarket so that there is more competition over prices," said Mr McCrickard.

A spokesman for Pendle Borough Council said the planning department had received the amended plans and they were expected to go before the West Craven Committee in May.

The spokesman said: "The council did ask the developers to look at various issues, one of which was the size.

"The developers have taken on board the comments, as well as those made by neighbours."

Copies of the new proposals were sent to neighbours of The Butts site on Wednesday. They have seven days to comment on the plans to the council's planning department.