Protestors: We'll keep on fighting after M&S gets a 'yes'
Campaigners' vow after retail park approved
Campaigners have vowed to fight on after plans for a new retail park were given planning permission.
Simons Developments Ltd won the approval of North Lincolnshire Council's planning committee to create the retail park, which will bring Marks & Spencer back to the region.
Dozens of traders had raised fears that the development, on Doncaster Road in Scunthorpe, could deal a killer blow to business in the town centre.
But in a tense meeting at the council's Pittwood House headquarters, the application was passed on the casting vote of chairman, councillor Arthur Bunyan, after committee members were split 5-5 on the plans.
The retail park, which will include an anchor M&S store and four other units, will create around 300 jobs.
In addition, the developer will be required to pay for extensive works to deal with extra traffic on Doncaster Road.
The scheme had provoked fierce opposition from town centre retailers and residents, who raised concerns over its impact on the High Street and on traffic.
Opponents could still challenge the decision – which is subject to a range of conditions and a planning agreement – by seeking a judicial review.
Speaking after the meeting, Des Comerford, chairman of the Keep Scunthorpe Alive campaign group, said members would now consider their options before going forward.
He said: "We have already taken legal advice prior to the planning meeting.
"Obviously we are going to meet further with our legal representatives to discuss it in depth, with a view to deciding how we go forward."
Mr Comerford said he felt the fact the decision went to a casting vote showed there were concerns over the development.
He said: "If it wasn't going to go our way, that was probably the best way it could have gone, to show how flawed the application was and how many genuine concerns there are.
"I would like to thank all of the members of Keep Scunthorpe Alive for their help with this campaign and the people of North Lincolnshire for their support."
Council convention states the planning committee chairman has the casting vote if councillors are equally split on an issue.
But Alan Bell, of Avenue Clamart, Scunthorpe, who spoke against the application at the meeting, said: "The fact that it was a split vote demonstrates the level of concern and I think they should have deferred a decision for more information."
Liz Redfern, the leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: "I welcome the new job opportunities and the long overdue improvements to highways locally.
"But there are a number of conditions yet to be met by the developer, which must be delivered."
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by Truth11
Sunday, January 15 2012, 5:40PM
“Hello KSA, DMG. Karen_1959 or any one of the two thousand. I am still awaiting an answer on my questions below. Any time in 2012 is fine...I've been a month so am happy to keep this story at the top of the website for another few weeks. Come guys; step up to the plate and give us an answer. We'll all respect you more for it! :-)”
by ScunnyMike
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 5:16PM
“I owe Mr Batkin an apology. I misread his website. He is no longer a councillor but he was a BNP councillor in Stoke on Trent until last year.
Googling both Steve Batkin and stevebatkin gives a few interesting results.”
by Any_Old_iron
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 4:36PM
“Isn't an obvious point being missed about this situation?
There already is a retail development on this site selling garden supplies, clothes, a cafe, vegetables, a car wash etc
So what's really happening - the site is being redeveloped to provide modern high quality retail outlets. Exactly what shoppers of our town and county need.”
by ScunnyMike
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 3:22PM
“I see stevebatkin is back spamming us with his own rather strange little website. He's a full-time councillor from the other side of the country, so why he posts here on issues not local to him, heaven knows.”
by PStoff
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 2:55PM
“Nutter alert.”
by stevebatkin
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 2:02PM
“The bankers sponsor Marks and Spencers, the rich get richer and then they fund and get control of the main political Labour/Tory/Lib-Dem parties -- It's never right!
http://tinyurl.com/c5fch56”
by John Cavill Free Weekly Gardening Tips
Monday, January 09 2012, 9:30PM
“May I add something quite profound to all the conversations? Something that's going to cause allot of people to shout, some to hide but it may tip the balance a little?!”
by Truth11
Monday, January 09 2012, 8:42PM
“What's happened to KSA? Are you guys still out there? We haven't heard anything for a while from the usual suspects. I promised I would keep trying to get this article onto the front page of the website for you so here is my latest post to do just that.
Just wondering if you have had any more thoughts on what further steps the KSA will be taking in the forthcoming weeks. Christams and the New Year are well behind us now so presumably there are dozens of ideas to put into action now that Jordan at Click PC and others have given you a bit of a shove...;-)”
by Click_PC
Sunday, January 08 2012, 12:00AM
“@ Truth11 + MikeofEpworth
I believe and have always believed that holding others back is never the solution. If you want to stay relevant then you must keep moving forward and improving.
We made the decision to close our old shop, Second Byte Retail on Dunstall Street during the heart of the recession. We rebranded, moved to larder premises and invested in more staff while others were tightening their belts. Sales are up over 500% as a result.
Scunthorpe town center can be a great shopping destination and have a vibrant nightlife. All we need to do is improve the things people like and remove the barriers that people don't like.
@ PStoff
My name is Jordan Geldart and I am the General Manager of Second Byte IT on Foxhills Industrial Estate. Overseeing Click-PC is one of the departments I look after, thats why I referred to myself as the General Manager for Click-PC. I guess I could have used the title Area Manager.
Nick Tune as you pointed out was the Manager of the shop. He was a valued member of staff with his own ideas on how things should be done and was given the freedom to run the store as he believed was best. For a number of reasons Nicky is sadly no longer with us. I am sure Nicky still believes strongly in KSA campaign against the new development, I do not.
If anyone wanted to discuss anything we have covered here I am happy to do so.
jordan.geldart@secondbyteit.co.uk
01724 280055”
by MikeofEpworth
Wednesday, January 04 2012, 5:56PM
“Click-PC hits it right on the nail. I live out in Epworth and visit Scunthorpe for shopping regularly BUT I try my best not to shop in the town centre as I dislike the parking charges. I doubt that I am alone in this.”