Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Grange Town Council objects to the extension and recommend that Booths be required to put in a new application that can be properly considered in the light of the significant changes since the initial consent was granted three years ago.
The economic downturn, coupled with the ongoing uncertainty regarding Booths, is having a detrimental effect on Grange Town Centre with a number of empty shops and lack of business investmentand this effect will be prolonged if an extension is granted. Given the change in the financial climate since 2008, the likely effect of an edge of town supermarket on the vitality of the Town Centre should be re-assessed. This accords with the coalition government’s pledge to sustain High Streets.
The consultation period for the extension of the time condition for the extant planning permission has not been widely advertised, and runs over the Christmas and New Year period which is likely to minimise the number of responses from residents. Given the very close decision at the planning meeting which granted the application and the level of feeling in the town, the Town Council believe that a new application should be submitted.