Go-ahead for store despite flat worries

Plans for a fourth stage of the development of the Proudfoot chain's main store are being recommended for approval. But the scheme for a 23ft extension to its Newby store involves the demolition of two houses, containing four occupied flats in Coldy Hill Lane to make way for a new layout to the vehicle entrance.

Scarborough Council's planning officers recommend councillors approve the plans at the next planning committee meeting on Thursday. But a number of objections have been received, including by Scalby Village Trust, to the loss of the accommodation.

An exhibition about the proposal attracted 178 responses which were "overwhelmingly in favour," according to a council report.

There were six objections from nearby residents concerned about traffic congestion caused by delivery vehicles and the "unnecessary loss" of residential property.

Jill Lowe, Scarborough Council's panning manager, said Proudfoots owned the flats, which were not strictly speaking affordable housing, and could not be forced to let them.

She added: "Many residents object on grounds of traffic considering the proposal will make road safety conditions more hazardous.

"But these concerns are not shared by the Highway Authority who concur the enlarged servicing bay will improve highway safety by allowing delivery vehicles to access it in forward gear rather than reversing into it as they need to do at present."

Since the store opened in 1965 there have been extensions in 1977, 1994, and 2005.

Four houses on Scalby Road were casualties of the previous schemes which have more than doubled the size of the store.