M&S store and new Scunthorpe retail park can go ahead

The way is now clear to build a new retail park on the outskirts of Scunthorpe, including a big store for Marks & Spencer.

A decision by High Court judge Mr Justice Hickinbottom - announced at 2pm today - means Simons Developments Ltd can go ahead.

Planning permission had been granted by North Lincolnshire Council, but a legal challenge was mounted in an effort to halt the scheme.

Documents issued at the court by the judge this afternoon say: “I do not consider any of the grounds of challenge are made good and I dismiss the claim.”

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

Reporter Mark Naylor, who was in Leeds for the hearing, said: "Opponents of a controversial scheme to open a new M&S store at Scunthorpe have lost their legal challenge.

"They claimed that correct policy rules were not followed and that the granting of planning permission should be quashed.

"A legal challenge was mounted at Leeds Administrative Court in a bid to derail the new store.

But High Court judge Mr Hickinbottom has ruled that none of the grounds for challenging the granting of planning permission were good and has dismissed the claim."

Documents issued at the court by the judge this afternoon say: “I do not consider any of the grounds of challenge are made good and I dismiss the claim.”

North Lincolnshire Council was quick to comment on the decision which means Simons Developments can create a 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.

It was challenged on six grounds, all now dismissed by the judge, the authority said.

Retail giants Marks & Spencer and Debenhams have signed up to the new development. And the decision gives the go ahead to the £20m development and the creation of 300 jobs. The development is set to be complete by late summer 2014.

Councillor Liz Redfern, of Epworth, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council said, “This is great news. It’s exactly the type of flagship investment this area needs.

"For too long the people of Scunthorpe and the surrounding areas have been travelling out of the area spending hard-earned money on comparable goods. We need to reverse that trend and this will help to do that. It will keep a lot of that spend within the local economy. It’s exactly the shot in the arm for the local economy that investors need to see when taking decisions on where to locate.

“But we can’t rest on our laurels. We will do all we can to ensure that the implementation of this development including the widening of the road network surrounding it, compliments the other exciting development opportunities in the town centre.

“We will continue to support our town centre traders, especially our independent retailers. It’s now time that the whole area get together to support this scheme; working together on its implementation can only benefit all of us.”

What do you think? viewpoint@scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk