Store would take 10pc of trade from Newport businesses, claims expert
A new supermarket on greenfield land on the outskirts of Newport would take around 10 per cent of trade from town businesses, a planning expert has said.
Martin Robeson, from London-based Martin Robeson Planning Practice, was yesterday called in front of a public inquiry taking place over plans to build the supermarket off Station Road.
He said if the supermarket went ahead it could take more than 10 per cent of trade from the town centre.
However, he also told the inquiry that a Morrisons store at Audley Avenue would take a similar amount.
He said he thought the proposed site in Station Road would take 10.8 per cent of trade from the town centre, while Morrisons would take 9.9 per cent. Those figures were including Waitrose as part of the town centre.
He said: "If you do not include Waitrose as the centre of the town, I think Audley Avenue would take away 8.8 per cent and Station Road would take 9.2 per cent, so they are very similar figures."
Mr Robeson was the first person called in front of the inquiry, which began yesterday, having been called by Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
It will look into the decision by Telford & Wrekin Council to grant planning permission to build a superstore on land it owns at Station Road.
Mr Robeson worked for Sainsbury's, who are planning to build on the site, during the 1990s.
He also advised Telford & Wrekin Council on Mere Park and Audley Avenue supermarket planning proposals. He said he believes there is a need for a new superstore in Newport.
He said it would help to create a more sustainable community. "Market towns that can grow need to be able to service the rural hinterlands and people should be able to buy everything they need," Mr Robeson.
He said that he believed the Station Road site would be better for development due to its close proximity to the town centre, it being on the commuter route from Telford to Stafford, and because it was a bigger store.
He added: "The Audley Avenue site is too small, and the only site left is the Station Road site."
He is due to be cross-examined at the inquiry today. Morrisons has now announced that it has signed a deal to build a supermarket at Audley Avenue.
However, Indigo, developers on behalf of Morrisons, said the contract allowed them to cancel the deal should the Station Road development go ahead.
