Sainsbury's plans for Leamington Old Town pub are blocked

[dutchman]

Campaigners believe their battle to stop a supermarket being built in place of a derelict Old Town pub has saved jobs in independent shops.



And supermarket chain Sainsbury’s said it is considering its options after Warwick District Council’s planning committee voted on Tuesday to refuse consent for a 2,368sq ft Sainsbury’s Local on the site of the disused Oak Inn in Radford Road.

People living in the area had signed petitions citing fears the shop would put Old Town shops out of business and cause road safety problems.

As The Courier revealed last week, officials had concerns about the 14 parking spaces at the proposed shop - less than half the council’s required number for a store of its size - and the dangerous layout of the car park.

Citing Old Town’s recent successful Portas Pilot bid, which will see at least £100,000 invested in shopping streets south of the river, Cllr Bertie Mackay (Ind, Stoneleigh) said the store was contrary to the local plan and would threaten the viability and vitality of the Old Town area.

Cllr John Barrot, who spoke as ward councillor, said nearby independent stores would have been threatened by the supermarket.

He said: “If these plans had gone ahead what would it have done to those jobs? Possibly this store could have closed those shops 
altogether.”

Acknowledging the supermarket could appeal or come back with plans for a smaller store, Cllr Barrott also questioned if the disused pub site was the right place for a branch.

Leamington town councillor Gurpreet Dulay (Lab, Leamington Willes) also spoke against Sainsbury’s plans at the meeting. He said: “This application, if successful, would have had a detrimental impact on the 98 per cent of independent retailers in Old Town.

“With the Mary Portas project we now have a great opportunity to create a vibrant mix of retail and community.”

Sainsbury’s had said the new store would have created 25 jobs and given people more choice.

Its regional acquisition manager Patrick Joyce said: “We are very disappointed by the committee’s refusal.
“I would like to thank all those who had shown their support for the development. We will now have to assess our options before deciding on the next steps.”