Business Column
RICHARD RICHARD GODSELL GODSELL Est. 1928 Est. 1928
T
he Mexican standoff between the three supermarket developers in Christchurch appears to have left only one supermarket standing. A packed Christchurch Council Planning Committee meeting again firmly threw out the plan by Beagles in Stony Lane Christchurch
ESTATE AGENTS & AUCTIONEERS Peter
to sell their factory to Morrisons to develop a supermarket. This was their second major attempt and the building had been redesigned and the traffic flows had been reconfigured. However the Council Committee remained very concerned about the trade diversion such a development would cause. They were unconvinced by suggestions that “linked trips” (people coming to the supermarket and going on into the town) would negate the adverse affect the supermarket would have on Christchurch High Street.
2 Church Street Christchurch 499466 www.richardgodsell.com
RICHARD GODSELL Est. 1928 Local independent Architect ARB and RIBA registered
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The following week the same planning committee robustly refused the application for a large supermarket to be developed at Meteor Park (the site at the top of Somerford where the old PC World stands). The site still has planning permission for a large food store, but their attempt to get that extended to an even larger supermarket was rejected. The only surviving planning permission for a large supermarket, likely to be ASDA, is at Bailey Bridge behind the retail park on Barrack Road. Outline planning permission for this supermarket exists although they seem strangely slow in coming forward with the detailed planning application that will enable them to start work. It is clear there is insufficient demand in Christchurch to justify three new supermarkets. Having just the one in West Christchurch may well be the best way forward. However so much money is at stake for the developers that appeals may yet be issued. Accordingly we still cannot be certain that future range of Christchurch supermarkets is finally decided.
Peter Watson-Lee President Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce
Answers on Page 40 ChristchurchEYE
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