Plans unveiled for another Scotforth supermarket
A SECOND supermarket is being planned for the controversial Lawson's Bridge site off the A6 –along with a hotel, pub/restaurant and petrol station.
The Commercial Estates Group (CEG) has an agreement to buy 13 acres of land from farmer David Townley, who acquired it under a 'squatters' rights' ruling in October 2004.
It was then estimated to be worth 6.5million with planning permission.
CEG has now written to Lancaster City Council asking whether it needs to conduct an environmental impact assessment to go alongside the planning application it is currently finalising.
The plans – which include 500 parking spaces – are in addition to separate proposals by Booths for a new supermarket on land immediately north of the Scotforth site.
Booths has agreed to buy that land from the city council subject to receiving planning permission. CEG and the city council lodged a joint objection to a residents' application to Lancashire County Council to designate both sites as a 'town green'.
Applicants Nick and Susan Jackson, of Scotforth Road, have been backed by 87 households in their bid to prove locals have 'indulged as of right in lawful sports and pastimes on the land for a period of at least 20 years'.
If granted, the application is likely to scupper any plans for development.
The two sites, plus land the other side of the railway line, had also been earmarked as a possible location for more than 2,000 new homes by consultants working for the city council.
But a public inquiry will be held before a decision is made on the town green application because the county council owns a narrow strip of the site following a road widening scheme.
A CEG spokeswoman said the supermarket proposal aimed to widen retail choice and reduce the need for cross city travel for food and other convenience shopping.
She added the company was talking to a number of potential operators.
"Our application is separate to any plans Booths may have," she said.
CEG has sent local residents leaflets about two public consultation events. The first is at Rowley Court in Scotforth Road from 4pm to 7pm on July 2. The second is being held from 11am to 1pm on July 4 at Lancaster Methodist Church in Scotforth.
Scotforth West city councillor, Emily Heath said: "I've not seen all the details yet but this sounds inappropriate.
"It sounds like over-development of a greenfield site and my heart sinks."
Booths declined to comment.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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