PLANS for new Lidl and Home Bargains stores on the outskirts of Barnard Castle have been approved despite fears it will damage the town’s high street.
Durham County Council’s south and west planning committee voted in favour of the proposed retail park on the former Addision’s auction house site on the B688 road to Staindrop.
Planning officers had recommended it for approval after an independent survey found that the impact on the town centre would not be significant. However, Morrisons’ representative Chris Creighton told the committee on Thursday, January 23, that the supermarket’s own survey predicted the development would have a “harmful impact” on the town centre.
He said: “We consider that it is retailers in Barnard Castle who will feel the most impact.
“We predict the turnover in the town centre will drop by 35 per cent at a time when town centres face unprecedented challenges.”
He added that 65 per cent of people who visited Morrisons went on to visit the high street, and “a threat to Morrisons is also a threat to the wider town centre” .
He also argued that the access along the A688 was
unsafe, particularly for pedestrians. While highways officers acknowledged the development of a footpath alongside the A688 between the site and Prospect Place was not the ideal width, they said it was the best that could be achieved because of the limited space on the verge.
Susan Harris, whose High Riggs home overlooks the site, described how she suffers from breathing difficulties and traffic at the site would make the problem worse.
She said: “The only day when there wouldn’t be any disturbance would be Christmas Day.
“I am fighting for my home and my life. Living above a carpark, and a large one at that, fills me with dread. I would either have to move or be out of the house for most of the day.”
Cotherstone resident Alison Hobbs spoke in favour of the new shops, saying they would bring more people into the town, and fewer people would travel to Tindale Crescent for cheaper shopping.
She said: “These shops, I believe would bring that back to Barnard Castle.”
Chris Argent, representing Consolidate Property Group (CPG), which is developing the site, referred to a survey from 2013 which found that 59 per cent of people who lived in the town shopped in the town, but he said by 2016 that had gone down to 44 per cent. He added: “You could say people are voting with their feet. The scheme will enhance choice – Morrisons has had a near monopoly on main food shopping in the town for a considerable period of time.
“Lidl, just to allay any concerns on impact, doesn’t have a fresh food counter, doesn’t have a fresh fish counter, doesn’t have a deli - it is very much a complementary offer to the town centre and, in particular, to the independents.”
Committee member Cllr Fraser Tinsley recommended planning permission be denied because it would negatively impact the viability of the existing Morrisons store, which is currently underperforming by 20 per cent.
He added: “The Morrisons store is the anchor store for the centre of Barnard Castle. Without the Morrisons store I think there will be significant impact on Barnard Castle.
“I am minded that we should be looking towards refusal of this application on balance, because, for me, the impacts on the town centre are significant and are demonstrable.”
Cllr Ivan Jewell said out of town retail parks were not the sole reason for failing high streets and the internet and home delivery services also played a part. He warned against opposing progress and development. He said: “If it does have the effect we are suggesting it will have , and I am not sure that it will because there are some niche business in Barnard Castle, but if it does have that effect, Barnard Castle will have to do what other places have to do and look for alternative offer.”
Cllr Jean Chaplow moved to support the application because of the new jobs, particularly for young people, it would bring to Barnard Castle. Summing up the debate, planning committee chairman Cllr John Clare said: “I find this an impossible decision to make because it is between a rock and a hard place. There has been a fear if we allow this it will significantly damage the town centre.
“Having said that, the local members, the local letters of support, the consultation – that [Lidl and Home Bargains] is what they want.
“The reason Lidl will be a threat to the town centre is because it is so much cheaper for people to shop there. Do we have a right to say to the people of Barnard Castle you will pay more for your shopping?”
The committee voted eight to four in favour of the application. CPG hope to start work later this year with the stores’ opening expected to take place mid-2021. The retail park is expected to create 60 jobs.
