NEW businesses and jobs could be on their way to Saltney after plans for a retail park were given the thumbs-up last week.
Flintshire County Council unanimously approved proposals for the 4,355 sq m retail park site in River Lane, around where the existing Go Outdoors store is.
The retail park bid had come from applicants Morrisons, which once had a store on the site until 2005, when it was forced to close due to competition regulations.
Since then, the River Lane site had been empty from when the Co-op store shut in 2006 to the arrival of the Go Outdoors retailer earlier this year, while Morrisons opened a newly-built superstore on the nearby High Street.
The plans will house about five retail units and provide 429 parking spaces.
Saltney and Flintshire county councillor Richard Lloyd said: “I proposed it for recommendation as this retail park is going to help in the regeneration and create more jobs for local people.
“Morrisons had set aside £20,000 for an artwork piece to be built there and I asked if that money could be used for other things and that was seconded.
“We will be asking for that money to be used for riverside improvements and make it a better landscape by the riverbank. That was supported by everybody.”
Saltney and Flintshire county councillor Veronica Gay, speaking before the plans received approval, was hopeful the plans would revitalise that area of the town.
She said: “When you think Broughton may have a cinema coming, it will be bringing more people through Saltney and we can capitalise on that.
“Local companies can supply these new businesses and it will create lots of jobs. It’s good news for Saltney.”
