Retail park would create 50 jobs

The shopping centre is predicted to create 50 jobs and bring ‘great opportunities and growth to the area’.

The Carr Lane Retail Park would be located off the Lea Road roundabout, near the rear of B and Q and Wintern Court, behind the bridge.

Designed by Brian E Wright Architects from Washingborough in Lincoln, the development would boast six units with a combined 1,524 square metres of retail floor space with 68 car parking spaces.

There would also be two large retail park totems providing roundabout frontage signage.

Developers MF Strawson Ltd say that the units could be available from Autumn 2013.

Tim Bradford from chartered surveyors Banks Long and Co, the agency representing building firm M F Strawson Ltd, said that the plans looked very promising for the Gainsborough area.

“We hope that the development will bring much-needed employment and regeneration and create around 50 jobs,” said Mr Bradford.

“This location was chosen for the development because the site is prominently located on a main road roundabout junction close to B and Q and housing.”

He added: “Local residents will be now consulted as part of the planning process.”

West Lindsey District Councillor Trevor Young represents the South West ward of Gainsborough where the retail park would be built.

“I would a development like this to the Carr Lane site,” he said.

“This is a large area with huge potential for commercial and housing developments. It’s adjacent to the river, close to the town centre and perfect for something like this.”

Coun Young continued: “The growth that it would bring to this area would be brilliant, for local residents and the town as a whole.”

“I was brought up in the South West ward and that land has always been ideal for redevelopment and this kind of use. The opportunities and jobs that it would bring would be more than welcome. ”

He added: “A lot of us would be keen to see these plans brought into fruition and the sooner we can make it happen, the better. This could kickstart a lot of thought about how this part of town could be developed and expanded for a variety of types of growth.”

However, town centre business owner Dawn Barren from Barren Bou on Lord Street was less than enthusiastic about the plans.

“They are going to spoil Gainsborough like they’ve allowed so many other towns to,” she said. “Are they trying to get rid of local independent town centre shops?

“By moving everything out of the town centre, they’ll ruin the town. I’d rather that everyone focussed on working to improve what we already have.”

She continued: “This would also block another entrance into town with traffic and put people off coming into Gainsborough.”

“Why do they want to build more shops? We’re in a difficult climate and people just don’t have the money.”

Lea Road resident Claire Robinson lives just a stone’s throw away from the site of the proposed retail park. We showed her the pictures of the plans and asked for her thoughts.

“It could be good and looks great, but then it could also have a lot of kids hanging around it night and causing trouble,” she said.

“Also, there’s enough traffic as it is. Plus we’ve lived here for five years and have always been able to park outside - is that going to stop with all of the extra cars around?”

She added: “It’s definitely something that Gainsborough needs and I’d like to see it, but there are still a lot of empty retail spaces in the town centre and around Marshall’s Yard - shouldn’t they be filling them?”

It is estimated that retail park would take approximately nine months to build. The application has been registered and West Lindsey District Council are now consulting various organisations including the general public.

l What do YOU think of the plans? Email us [email protected] or write to 5-7 Market Place, Gainsborough, DN21 2BP to let us know.