Market Drayton store wars heat up as second bid goes in
Controversial plans to build a supermarket in a Shropshire town have taken a huge step forward after a planning application was submitted.
Danbank Developments Ltd has asked Shropshire Council for permission to create a supermarket off Greenfields Lane in Market Drayton.
The council is already in the process of debating plans for a Sainsbury's store in the town. The proposal includes creating a 45,000sq ft food store, hundreds of jobs, petrol station and a new road layout, as well as links to improved sports facilities and approximately 150 homes.
Andrew Price, from Danbank Developments, has said three potential operators were interested in moving onto the site if planning permission is granted.
Last week the firm delivered leaflets to nearly 4,000 homes in the town detailing the plans and inviting people to give their views.
A design and access statement on behalf of Danbank Developments Ltd says: "The submitted design/application proposals will help to provide economic, social and environmental benefits – whilst also providing a much-needed food store.
"The proposal seeks to create a dynamic and bespoke retail development.
"The proposals have been carefully considered during their design development and discussions within the project team, plus external consultees, to ensure that a sustainable development is created that can help to kick start wider regeneration of the surrounding areas."
The move comes after Sainsbury's application for a store on the Vicon Works Industrial Estate off the A53, was called in by the North Shropshire Planning Committee. A decision is due to be made in the coming months.
That application includes creating 200 jobs and a 30,200sq ft superstore with a restaurant, bakery, recycling centre and a 250-space car park.
Councillor Roger Hughes said he fears the proposal by Danbank Developments Ltd will leave the town without a supermarket on either site.
He said: "When these applications are discussed by the planning committee it's fairly obvious that they won't give permission for two supermarkets.
"People in Market Drayton have said they want the Sainsbury's supermarket. They want the choice it brings, the job opportunities and they want them now.
"The big problem with the Danbank application is that we could end up with no supermarket, especially as in my opinion it is undeliverable."
Ben Littman, regional development manager for Sainsbury's, said the supermarket giant would not be interested in the Greenfields Lane site if the current application does not get approval.
He said: "There have been some rumours linking us with Danbank Developments Ltd should we not be granted planning consent for the current site.
"I have never spoken to anyone from Danbank and we are fully committed to the Vicon Works site.
"If we get planning consent a Sainsbury's store will be built.
"The Danbank application is a developer led site without an end user."
