£20m revamp of Cheshire town centre gets go-ahead

Jun 17 2008 by David Norbury, Chester Chronicle

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a £20m redevelopment of Neston town centre were decided by a handful of out of town votes after a stormy three hour meeting.

Conservative councillors on the borough's planning committee, including Tory leader Cllr Myles Hogg (Willaston & Thornton), were unable to take part in the decision as it was deemed they had previously expressed a view.

They were required to leave Neston Civic Hall, packed with 200 members of the public, before the vote was taken, leaving the future of the scheme in the hands of just five Labour councillors, all representing seats in Ellesmere Port.

Four of those were in favour of the development, granting permission to developers CTP and Sainsbury’s for a 3,250 sq m supermarket and cafe with 14 flats above, a 2,000 sq m public square, which will also be used for an 111 stall market and the fair, a three deck car park with 221 short stay spaces for shoppers and the public and 14 for the flats and two community units.

The scheme, which is subject to a referral to the Conservative controlled Cheshire West and Chester council and to local government secretary Hazel Blears, could see the supermarket opening at the end of next year.

It is planned on car parks between the High Street and the railway line and Raby Road and Brook Street.

Special arrangements were made by Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council to enable objectors and supporters, including the developers, to give their opinions to councillors.

With 70% of main food shopping going outside the town, amounting to £5m in the last 10 years, according to a report, Neston and District Chamber of Trade unanimously supports a new supermarket and describes the investment as “urgently needed”.

No objections were raised by Neston Civic Society with a majority of the committee being in favour. The Wirral Society objected mainly on traffic grounds and the loss of amenity space in the town centre.

Planning officers had 110 objections and concerns raising the lack of need for the supermarket, the effect on the 100 commercial premises in the town centre, inadequate parking, increased traffic and other issues including inadequate consultation.

A petition against with more than 500 names was also raised, arguing there are 22 supermarkets within 20 minutes of the town.

A dozen letters were sent in backing the scheme.

At the meeting, councillors heard from 19 objectors and supporters.

Guy Illingworth, managing director of CTP, told the committee: “A supermarket can act as a catalyst for further regeneration.

“This is a £20m investment which is a major vote of confidence in the town by us and by Sainsbury’s.”

The approval is subject to a legal agreement and 45 conditions.

Plans were also agreed for a temporary market with 108 stalls along Brook Street and on Belmont Cottage and for a permanent car park with 27 spaces on Belmont Cottage.