Judge approves £20m retail park

A HIGH Court judge has given the green light to controversial plans for a shopping centre on the outskirts of Scunthorpe, which will house a new Marks & Spencer store.

Mr Justice Hickinbottom approved plans by Simons Developments for the £20m retail park on the site of the Trent Valley Garden Centre.

The scheme was taken to judicial review after twice being passed by North Lincolnshire Council planning committee.

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The scheme was challenged on six grounds, each of which has now been dismissed by the judge.

Opponents argued that the scheme would harm the vitality of the town centre. M&S, which closed its town centre store last year, and Debenhams have signed up to the new development which is expected to create 300 jobs.

The leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Coun Liz Redfern, said it was a “shot in the arm” for the area. “This is great news. It’s exactly the type of flagship investment this area needs,” she said.