Deadline for supermarket consultation approaches

Residents have been given the opportunity to comment on the revised plans for Tesco and Sainsbury’s before a final decision is expected to be reached by councillors in November.

The plans have been on display at the Town Hall, and Scarborough Council is urging local people to have their say before the process comes to an end next Thursday.

Pauline Elliott, Scarborough Council’s head of regeneration and planning, said: “Both of these developments are significant applications for the town and therefore it’s important that members of the Planning and Development Committee have all the information they need when making their decision, including the views of local people.

“There is still time to have a look and comment upon the proposals, if you are unable to visit the Town Hall during the week, the plans are also on the council’s website and we will accept written comments for the next two weeks.”

Changes were made to the proposals following a previous public consultation and both applications will now be considered together by Scarborough Council owing to the “cumulative impact” the superstores will have on the town.

The attempts by both Tesco and Sainsbury’s to bolster their presence in the seaside resort have been repeatedly delayed with fears over the impact the schemes will have on the town’s retailers.

The Tesco proposals centre on a site in Dean Road which would allow the company to create an outlet covering 65,000 sq ft – more than three times the size of the firm’s existing Westwood store in the town, which it would replace. Tesco has claimed the £40m development would create 350 jobs and help tackle Scarborough’s long-term unemployment problems.

But the plans have prompted fierce opposition amid claims the development would have a major impact on the roads networks and the existing retail sector.

The Sainsbury’s proposals have been given a far warmer reception from Scarborough’s residents. The plans would see the existing Sainsbury’s store in Falsgrave Road expanded with an extra 33,900 sq ft of retail space, as well as the creation of about 85 jobs.