Resort decision delayed on rival projects by supermarket giants

Rival bids have been drawn up by the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Tesco and Sainsbury’s, to enhance their presence in Yorkshire’s most popular seaside resort.

But Scarborough Council confirmed yesterday that any decision on the proposed developments will not now be made until the summer.

The planning applications had been due to go before the authority’s planning committee next month, but council officers have opted to impose the delays.

A council spokeswoman confirmed “various factors” needed to be addressed, such as the impact on the town’s roads networks and the results of major public consultations for both schemes.

But one of the biggest issues centres around the impact of the proposed developments on Scarborough’s economy and the threat to the town’s independent retailers.

The council is now seeking specialised retail advice, especially in relation to the potential impact of the supermarket developments on the town centre.

Scarborough Council’s head of regeneration and planning, Pauline Elliott, said: “While I am aware that residents are keen for decisions to be made, the planning authority cannot go ahead until all relevant information has been received and considered.

“For major applications such as these it is important not to rush things and we have to ensure that the councillors who sit on the planning committee have all the relevant information to hand when they come to make these important decisions.”

A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman claimed the delay was “clearly disappointing” after informal discussions with the council began two years ago before a planning application was submitted at Christmas.

It is understood that the delays have been caused in part by Tesco revising a planning application submitted at the start of January to address issues raised in a public consultation.

A Tesco spokesman confirmed that discussions are continuing with highways officials at North Yorkshire County Council and the revised designs are due to be submitted within the next month.

The Tesco plans 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’s regional corporate affairs manager, Deborah Hayeems, 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 town’s roads networks as well as the existing retail sector.

An action group called STATS – Scarborough Town Against Tesco Store – was formed at the end of last month and has already collected more than 2,000 signatures on a petition.

The chairman of the action group, Malcolm Start, said: “While it is good to hear that more time is being taken to consider the proposals, it is worrying to know that the Tesco proposals are still on the table.

“The delay could actually be in our favour, however, as more and more people are coming on board for the campaign all the time.”

The Sainsbury’s proposals have been given a far warmer reception from Scarborough’s residents than the rival Tesco bid.

The plans would see the existing Sainsbury’s store in Falsgrave Road expanded with an extra 33,900 sq ft of retail space.

The supermarket chain has claimed that the store’s expansion would create about 85 full- and part-time jobs.