Sainsbury's linked to Newport plans

Supermarket giant Sainsbury's was this afternoon linked to a multi-million pound development on the edge of Newport.

Campaigners claim the firm has agreed a £21million deal for the Station Road site with Telford & Wrekin Council. The council says no deal has been struck but said it is looking to sell the 11-acre site for a major retail development.

A supermarket is the cornerstone of plans including 350 homes which have already been drawn up by the authority and developers St Modwen and Davidsons Developments.

Campaigners from the Save Newport group said: "We understand that in a closed meeting last Thursday Telford & Wrekin's cabinet agreed to sell the Station Road 'superstore site' to Sainsbury's, for £21 million, subject to planning approval going through."

David Parker, chairman of Newport Regeneration Partnership, said the plans were wrong for Newport.

"The size and scale and the fact that it's out of town means we almost don't care who it is, it will have a devastating effect on the town centre," he said.

A spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council said: "At last week's cabinet meeting, councillors agreed a report allowing the council to negotiate and enter into a contract for the sale of a 4.5 hectare plot of council owned land off Station Road that has been identified for development. No contract has been completed for the sale of this land.

"The cabinet also instructed officers to enter into a joint venture agreement to procure development in south west Newport.

"An outline planning application for the area and a detailed application for the Station Road site are expected to be submitted shortly."

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "Sainsbury's is always looking for opportunities to open new stores but does not comment on rumour and speculation relating to specific sites."

The scheme is one of a number of developments in Newport. Indigo Planning wants permission to build a 33,000 square foot supermarket off Audley Avenue, and Persimmon Homes and Henry Davidson Developments are proposing up to 300 homes on green field land between Moorfield Lane and Wellington Road.