Full public inquiry over Oswestry central car park supermarket plan
Friday 1st October 2010, 8:00PM BST.
A full public inquiry will be held to decide whether a multi-million-pound supermarket should be built on Oswestry’s Central Car Park, it has been announced.
Developer J Ross Developments had its application to build the supermarket turned down by Shropshire Council.
The firm appealed and was initially told the controversy would be dealt with at an informal hearing before the end of the year.
But the company has now been told a full public inquiry will now be held, probably in the new year.
J Ross Developments had its plans for the store as well as a cinema and a new traffic gyratory system rejected by the council in July.
Nick Scott, from the firm, said today: “We were initially told our appeal would be dealt with through an informal hearing.
“The indications now are that a full public inquiry will be held and again although no date has been set I would imagine we are looking at the early part of next year.
“Having a full public inquiry will certainly allow all the issues to be aired and we are preparing for that inquiry now.”
Councillors went against their own officers’ advice at the July meeting and rejected the Central Car Park proposal over concerns about traffic congestion and the impact it would have on the town centre.
But the firm argues its plans are the best option for the town and will not add to congestion.
Tom Foxton, from the Communities and Local Government department, said: “The procedure changed from a hearing to an inquiry because it was felt that it would be the only way the inspector would be able to be made fully aware of all the facts.”
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The best way to decide the future of Oswestry is to ask the people who live in the town. Why can’t we have a public vote as to which scheme should go ahead. I am sure it would be a lot cheaper way than a public inquiry and better than having the final decision made by people who don’t live in the town.
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