Shropshire Star

Give up Newport store wars battle, council told

An outspoken councillor today urged Telford & Wrekin Council to abandon its appeal against a Morrisons supermarket in Newport, insisting: "It's a pointless exercise and a waste of money."

Published

Eric Carter, Telford & Wrekin councillor for Newport East, has criticised the authority for launching a second appeal in an attempt to block the store in Audley Avenue.

A Government planning inspector gave the plan the thumbs-up after a public inquiry last year.

The council appealed against the decision but saw its challenge dismissed in the high court earlier this month. The council immediately announced it would launch another appeal, costing about £50,000.

The council wants to see a controversial larger Sainsbury's supermarket built in Station Road, a move that would net it £21 million in land sales.

It has also lost a challenge against a supermarket at nearby Mere Park, and in total has budgeted £1.5m in legal fees concerning all three bids.

Councillor Carter believes the council's chances of winning its latest appeal are slim.

"The Government are not likely to overturn two appeals by their own inspectors," he said.

"We've had enough. If they had a case they would've won one of the last two appeals. They need to accept defeat gracefully and move on."

Councillor Carter called on the council to come up with an alternative use for the Station Road site. He said: "It might not give them the £21 million the supermarket would but they've got land assets which they could use to make up any shortfall."

The council says it is appealing over Morrisons as it believes the developer should be making a greater contribution towards roads in the area.

The council today declined to comment on Councillor Carter's suggestions.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.