Shock as Sainsbury’s pulls out of controversial scheme to build new store

Sainsbury’s has dramatically pulled out of its controversial plans to develop its supermarket in Todmorden.

The company, along with joint applicant, Property Alliance Group, was due to fight a decision by Calderdale Council’s Planning Committee rejecting its ideas for the derelict site on Halifax Road.

Although the store was unwanted by many residents with around a quarter of the town’s population signing a petition against the plans, the decision to withdraw came out of the blue and the precise reasons why remain unclear.

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It would only say they were for ‘‘confidential, commercial and contractual reasons”.

Sue Smales, Sainsbury’s regional planning manager, said: “We appreciate that our many supporters will be disappointed that Sainsbury’s has withdrawn from the appeal and we would like to thank them for all their help.

“Sainsbury’s has an active new store and store extension development programme in the north but sadly this project no longer meets the company’s requirements.”

Mrs Smales added: “The decision to withdraw is not one that has been taken lightly but Property Alliance Group will continue to run the appeal on its own.”

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Todmorden town councillor Ian Cooper, who when he was a councillor on Calderdale Council resigned his position on its Planning Committee so he could fight this application, said he was delighted at the news.

He is a firm backer of alternative plans to develop the town’s potential for tourism by creating a marina and hotel development.

Renewed interest is now likely to be shown in them when they go on show at Todmorden Library on Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25, along with representatives from Todmorden Pride who will be on hand to discuss the radical proposals. Councillors refused to allow Sainsbury’s to build a new store at the gateway to Todmorden because they feared ‘supermarket saturation’ - the town already boasts two supermarkets and Asda is engaged on building a third. But the scheme had the backing of planning officials who said it complied with current planning policies. As a result Sainsbury’s decided to appeal. The company said the new store would have created up to 150 new full and part-time jobs.