1,600 object to Easingwold supermarket plan (From Gazette & Herald)

1,600 object to Easingwold supermarket plan

9:03am Friday 3rd February 2012 in News

A BID to build a new supermarket in Easingwold has failed to win over the town council which has voted to recommend refusal to Hambleton District Council.

The proposals, for five houses and a store which would cover more than 2,000sqm of the former Falcon Office Furniture site, have been met with fierce opposition from residents and businesses, who fear it will damage the area’s character and take trade away from local shops.

A petition against the plans has collected about 1,600 signatures and been handed to Hambleton District Council.

The town council considered the Stillington Road site unsuitable because of potential traffic and safety problems, its impact on the surrounding environment, potential drainage issues and an impact on local businesses. Since the planning application was lodged, the Keep Easingwold Special campaign has been set up.

In a statement to the council, the Retail Development Partnership said the new store would boost local businesses because it would reduce the number of shopping trips taken outside Easingwold, adding there would be “spin-off benefits” from the proposals.