TOWN councillors have given their support to plans for a new retail park on the outskirts of Barnard Castle.
However, they say there are a number of issues which should be addressed before the development of new Lidl and Home Bargains stores goes ahead.
The scheme is earmarked for the former Addisons Auction house site on the A688 Staindrop Road, opposite the entrance to the TCR Hub.
Town councillors stated their concerns about the access arrangements off the A688, especially for vehicles turning right into the retail park.
Mayor Cllr Sandra Moorhouse said bus stops would need to be incorporated into the scheme.
Cllr Moorhouse and several members also raised issues about the lack of facilities for pedestrians and queried reference in the scheme to an “informal crossing” .
“Does that mean a refuge in the middle of the road,” asked Cllr Judi Sutherland.
Cllr George Hallimond replied that it was a case of pedestrians simply trying to cross the road wherever they could.
“I used to go to the auction house and it used to be murder getting across the road to Addisons,” he said.
Cllr Moorhouse said even when pedestrians crossed the road, there would be no footpath for them to cross to.
Both Cllr Hallimond and Cllr Frank Harrison – who use mobility scooters – said the existing footpath which runs from the outskirts of town to Stainton Grove was too narrow and would not cope with extra footfall.
Cllr Ian Kirkbride said: “Surely [Durham County Council] highways will be the drivers on aspects of access and egress? It is they who need to be satisfied.”
Cllr Sutherland said this may be the case, but the town council should still ask questions about the access and pedestrian arrangements.
Cllr Moorhouse added: “If they [the developers] are going to do something there, we want to make sure everybody going to the store is safe.
“What they are doing is encouraging people to go along there. If it’s not fit for purpose, we should not support it.”
Cllr John Blissett said he was concerned about the speed of traffic along the A688 which he feared would continue to be an issue despite proposals to extend the 30mph limit past the retail park.
Cllr Kelly Blissett added: “It is already a busy road. If we have got the shops there, you are going to get more people.”
Cllr Harrison suggested a pedestrian crossing, combined with a reduced speed limit, would cut the speed of traffic.
A number of other concerns were also voiced by town councillors.
These included the effect of the development on residents of High Riggs, particularly any potential disturbance from HGVs unloading at the back of the stores and just a short distance from residents’ homes.
However, members also highlighted some of the benefits of the proposal.
Cllr Sutherland said: “I am not particularly persuaded that town centre business will be damaged.”
And Cllr Kirkbride added: “I think it will increase town centre activity. People who would have gone elsewhere may now go the extra half mile into town.”
Cllr Kelly Blissett said that as a non-driver she was “excited” by the prospect of having more choice of shopping in the town.
Following the discussion, councillors agreed to support the application but set out their concerns.
