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STORE WARS LATEST: Major setback for Whitby Sainsbury's
SAINSBURY'S has suffered a major setback in its bid to open a store in Whitby, which could lead to a year-long delay in opening.
Scarborough Borough Council (SBC) has decided to refer Sainsbury's planning application to the Government Office for Yorkshire and The Humber (GOYH).
The move follows the controversial decision on 29 July by SBC's planning committee to go against the advice of its planning chiefs and approve the plans for the store in Stainsacre Lane and to refuse the plans for a Tesco on land owned by nuns at High Stakesby.
Although SBC says it stands by its decision, the potential departure from its own policy means the GOYH must be notified to allow it to decide if it wants the decision to be the subject of a public inquiry.
Richard Smith, Litigation and Regulation Locum for Scarborough Borough Council said: "The council does not want the decision to be the subject of a public inquiry.
"Planning and legal officers met on Thursday to prepare a letter to GOYH formally notifying them that the Sainsbury's decision is potentially a departure from policy but confirming the council's view that the decision is correct and reasonable.
"The council's Planning Policy S1(b) requires that a major shopping development should not undermine the vitality or viability of an existing town centre as a whole.
"Accordingly the Sainsbury's decision, is potentially, and to some degree, a departure from Policy S1(b).
"This does not mean the decision is wrong. The council believes the decision is correct and reasonable."
Once the GOYH receives the council's letter it will aim to reach a view within 21 days on whether it wants the decision to be the subject of a public inquiry which would be held within 22 weeks.
If it does, an inspector will make the final decision as to whether Sainsbury's can open a store on the site.
If it does not want a public inquiry, the Sainsbury's decision made by the council's planning and development committee, will still stand.
Sue Smales, regional planning manager for Sainsbury's told the Whitby Gazette: "We're disappointed Scarborough Borough Council has decided to refer Sainsbury's planning application to the Government Office for Yorkshire and The Humber.
"We understand this decision follows pressure from Tesco, whose new store proposals were refused. We'll find out if the Government Office decides to call-in the application in the next few weeks. If this happens this could potentially lead to a year-long delay in the project.
"This is frustrating, not only for us but also for the local community who have made it pretty clear that Whitby needs a Sainsbury's.
If the planning application is called-in, the decision will be taken away from the council and from the local people."
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Weather for Whitby
Thursday 09 February 2012
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