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Councillors turn down £3m plans
A MAJOR planning application to build a £3m "futureproof" shopping centre on Corringham Road - and 50 new jobs - has been unanimously thrown out by West Lindsey Council's planning committee.
Eight councillors all voted in favour of recommendations to reject the proposal for a 12,000 square foot convenience foodstore and number of smaller retail units, as well as a nursery and sit-down restaurant.
The voting committee, of which only one councillor lives in Gainsborough, claimed the application from Cheshire-based developers Morbaine for the development was too large and would impact on town centre shops.
Speaking after the meeting held last Wednesday, Morbaine director Alex Brodie said he was disappointed and surprised councillors had ignored the widespread support for this scheme from local residents, ward members and the business community.
"To give the thumbs down to new facilities and jobs in a town with ambitious growth plans, during a period of high unemployment, seems short-sighted to say the least," he said.
"The decision also ran counter to the council's own advice, which stated that there would be no impact on the health of the town centre, as this was a devlopment to cater for local shopping needs."
"In our opinion, this sends out completely the wrong message to those who might want to invest in Gainsborough in the future."
Planning committee chairman Chris Underwood-Frost opted out of the voting as he lives opposite Corringham Road, but said he firmly opposed the plans as a local resident.
"In terms of proportionality it is too large for the area, and an application for a smaller foodstore has already been granted a few months ago," he said.
"We are are spending millions upgrading the town centre and we are also getting people putting 30m worth of investment into Marshall's Yard, and then we are getting someone wanting to put a large store out of the town centre. It just beggars belief."
Ward councillor Coun Pat O'Connor, along with Coun Mel Starkey, backed the application and said the authority needed to ensure the "appropriate mix of facilities, while "encouraging employers to invest in the future of the town".
Coun O'Connor said he was "disappointed" by the outcome and added that he had to respect the committee's decision.
"I think with the current employment situation the committee could have taken a different view," he said.
"This part of town is developing quickly and needs to be carefully managed."
"I was pleased that it went before the planning committee and if anything it's given me a steer on where they are planning to invest in the future."
Morbaine will now wait for the official refusal notice from the Council before deciding whether to appeal the decision.
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Weather for Gainsborough
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
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