Furious Chester residents fight to prevent new store from “destroying” their community

Jun 15 2009 By Chester Chronicle

ANGRY homeowners have created a petition with more than 700 signatures in a bid to stop a convenience store from destroying their community.

The ex-Esso petrol station site on Whitchurch Road, Boughton, would cost in excess of a million pounds and create 30 jobs in the area.

Campaigner Mike Thompson, 57, of Whitchurch Road, Chester, said: "When we closed the petition we had about 700 signatures.

there could be in excess of another hundred on there by now. We are happy with the facilities that are there now. How will this affect these local trades?"

Boughton already has a butchers, a green grocer, an off licence and a newsagents just meters from the proposed site, as well as a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Huntington.

Traffic congestion is already bad on the road," added Mr Thomas.

"I have been here 20 years and there used to be lots of accidents when the garage was there. The shop isn’t in keeping with the existing properties. It should be a residential development, it would be more pleasing on the eye."

The site has been empty since 2007 and an application for a funeral directors on the site was withdrawn.

Haigh Properties are proposing to redevelop the former petrol station and create a convenience food store, which open from 6-11pm, with a 22 space car park.

Agent Kate McClean said: "It is a speculative proposal by Haigh Properties but the site would be favourable for a number of retailers and the developers are confident they will get a user.

"Christleton Road has a vibrant parade but there are things you cannot get there and competition does bring down prices."

"People will still go to the existing shops and there are people who don’t have access to cars."

No date has been set for the application to be heard by the Cheshire West and Chester planning committee as information is still being gathered.

Just weeks ago an application to build a supermarket at Boughton Retail Park was rejected.