'We have to protect the town centre' says borough council
All town centre businesses are being protected by Northampton Borough Council's commitment to carefully consider out-of-town retail, the council leader has said.
Saints chairman Keith Barwell said he believed a major obstacle to the council giving its backing to a new Asda on the club's car park was it wanted to protect the shops in the extended Grosvenor Centre.
But Councillor Hoare said its planning policy was good for all town centre retail.
He said: "One of the things citizens in the town always say is the importance they place on the town centre and its vibrancy.
"That is captured in our planning policies and will always be taken into account whatever size of development is proposed, no matter whether it is in Wellingborough Road or Weedon Road.
"Asda wants to come to this town and our planning department will always work with any development coming into town.
"That development, of a substantial nature, in an out-of-town location, would have a significant impact on our town centre. There are existing businesses and existing jobs in the town centre that have to be considered."
Councillor Hoare also stressed he did not believe the new Grosvenor Centre would affect decisions on whether to approve new shops.
He said: "Each application will be considered on its merits for business and employment in the town centre.
"The Saints want this development to happen quickly and, although we have made great progress, the Grosvenor Centre development is some years away.
"The planning policy about protection in the town centre is about businesses in the centre now. The Grosvenor Centre is not an impediment to the Asda development."
However, the council leader, who will not personally take part in the local authority's future talks with the Saints, hinted the Asda route to a new Franklin's Gardens stand currently looks unlikely.
He said: "Looking at the size of the footprint being suggested for a new Asda, it would seem to indicate a significant store."
Email to a friend
Print this page- BREAKING NEWS: Man dies following motorway smash on Northamptonshire border
- BREAKING NEWS: Police inundated with hundreds of complaints over snowball fights
- BREAKING NEWS: Police name man killed in crash on motorway in Northamptonshire
- Student flats planned for Northampton town centre revealed
- Neighbours raise concern about bid to build new house three inches from their home
- BREAKING NEWS: Fishmarket art gallery offered new home
- Student flats planned for Northampton town centre revealed
- New manager of Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre says ‘This is the beginning of a new era’
- BREAKING NEWS: Police inundated with hundreds of complaints over snowball fights
- Northamptonshire MP leads bid against wind farm subsidies
- Exclusive: Saints voluntarily move key Heineken Cup match to Milton Keynes
- Ashton determined to end Saints career on a high
- West Northamptonshire Development Corporation in bid to purchase site of former power station
- Lifeguard Lane not looking to save Bloy
- Duston woman makes it to Masterchef finals
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
