Morrisons given permission to build on brownfield site in Saltney

Aug 27 2009 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

Morrisons given permission to build on brownfield site in Saltney

A SUPERMARKET that will help to regenerate Saltney was given the green light last week.

The plan for a 40,000sq m premises was approved by the planning department at Flintshire County Council on Thursday, paving the way for building to begin on the former Bramall Quicks/GT Owensite in Chester Road.

The plans include erection of a superstore, petrol filling station and car wash together with car parking for 434 cars, trolley storage shelters, landscaping and an enclosed service yard with lorry access.

Planting of the Balderton Brook, which runs through the site, will form a wildlife corridor and Morrisons has given up some land so a permanent library can be built for Saltney.

The supermarket giant says it plans to take on 50 full-time and 225 part-time employees and will open from 8am- 8pm Monday to Saturday and 10am- 4pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

The supermarket will replace the old Morrisons store in River Lane, which closed in 2006 following the merger of Safeway and Morrisons.

After Neville Shawcross from Saltney Historical Society wrote a letter to Morrisons head office, it has agreed to include waved, curved canopies to reflect Saltney's nautical history.

The main entrance will have a clock tower designed to appear similar to a lighthouse, which would again pick up on the town's nautical heritage.

Town mayor Ann Lloyd said: “We're so pleased that Morrisons have got their plans passed. I'm absolutely thrilled.

“We invited residents to see the plans and express any concerns they had at the mayor's surgery. The clerk wrote a letter to Morrisons and they've taken it on board.”

Deputy mayor and Flintshire county councillor Veronica Gay said: “It's going to be fantastic to have local jobs again for local people.

“Morrisons have agreed to donate land for a library on the old Quicks site.

“We've got to find the funds to build the library within seven years or they will claim the land back.”

The town council may also move on to the land and into a new building.