Plans for massive superstore – just not cricket!
What follows is a press release sent out by KCI on 21 July 2009
For Immediate release
Plans for massive superstore – just not cricket!
Keep Chorlton Interesting (KCI) today challenged Trafford Council and the developers of the Lancashire County Cricket Club at Old Trafford to provide local people with accurate information on the scale of the proposed superstore currently included in the development proposals.
Misleading information
The information provided by the developers
makes great play on the need for a new, world class cricket ground
but has omitted to tell people that the current plans would see a
140,000 square foot Tesco superstore being built – possibly the
largest Tesco store in the UK.
The consultation also tells people “a new foodstore is proposed on the land fronting Chester Road which already has full planning permission for a supermarket”. (1) Planning permission was granted in January 2004 for a 48,502 square foot store so it is misleading to state give the impression that planning permission exists for this much larger development.
Questionnaires
which include the question: “Would you support the creation of a
new foodstore on land fronting Chester Road” are being handed out
at the consultation events yet there is nothing on any of the
information provided declaring the size of the proposed store.
Debbie Ellen, a spokesperson for KCI, said:
“We welcome the development of the cricket ground, but not at this cost. A superstore of this size would have a devastating impact on the independent local traders in the surrounding areas. We are concerned that the consultation has not given local people accurate information before asking them if they support the development.”
Keep Chorlton Interesting believes that the scale of the proposed development would threaten local independent traders in both Stretford and Chorlton and calls on Trafford Council to live up to its recent publicity campaign urging people to support their local town centres. (2) This development is only 1.25 miles from Stretford centre and under two miles from the centre of Chorlton. The 2006 planning inquiry into a 88,000 square foot store demonstrated that a development of that scale was not appropriate. The Planning Inspector cited the impact the store would have on local centres as one reason for refusal, yet current proposals would see a superstore nearly 50% larger than the rejected application.
Ends
For more details contact: Debbie Clarke 07967 227981
Notes to editors
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See consultation boards, page 6 available for download at: http://www.lccc.co.uk/msites.php?p=news&id=3019 (boards as viewed on 21 July 2009)
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See Trafford Today July 2009, p. 9 “10 top reasons for supporting your local town centre”. Available for download at: http://www.trafford.gov.uk/news/issues/97/
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People can see the consultation boards on the proposed development at:
Lancashire County
Cricket Club (Library Suite) 4-7.30 pm on Thursday 23 July,
St
Ann's Social Club 10-2 pm on Saturday 25 July
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Comments on the development can be sent to consult@lccc.co.uk
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By phone: 0161 247 7240.