The news that Sainsbury's has withdrawn it's application for a store in Llandeilo will be greeted with mixed views in my locality, with opinions typically polarised.
However, this decision and the ongoing saga raise some very serious questions. Still, and most importantly perhaps, the council's relationship with this giant retailer and why the council website was used to promote it's application. The Ombudsman is currently investigating the Council Leader's actions over that council press release.
Local MP Jonathan Edwards has issued this statement this evening;
“Sainsbury’s withdrawing the application simply on the basis that the Welsh government has called-in the proposal following its referral by Carmarthenshire County Council shows complete disregard for the national democratic planning process. If delay and uncertainty was the deciding factor, Sainsbury’s would have also withdrawn the Cross Hands application.
“The comments of Welsh government planning officers on the supermarket developments suggest there are concerns regarding the accumulative effect to existing businesses and also question a significant omission in the assessment of the proposals. Sainsbury’s has to yet to comment on those specific issues.
“The local authority, led by the Council Leader, has attacked Mr. Edwards and Mr. Thomas for representing their constituents. Serious questions remain unanswered regarding the Council’s relationship with the supermarket giant and why taxpayers’ resources were used to act as a mouthpiece for this multi-million pound retailer.
“Considering that Sainsbury’s has continued with one application and not the other, it was obviously aware that both applications together contravened Welsh planning policy and would therefore have been refused when called-in. That is why it’s pulled the Llandeilo application. It raises questions about why the applications were recommended for approval in the first instance.
“It is clear the Council’s executive and Sainsbury’s are unhappy with their actions being scrutinised. The decision to withdraw the planning application indicates serious flaws in the planning process and disdain for planning legislation.”
(link here)
3 comments:
Not everybody in Llandeilo is pleased with this decision . Mr Buckleys group represent only a vocal minority less than 20 percent mainly the shopkeepers with vested interests w were against this project. Where are the jobs that ordinary people in Llandeilo need going to come from now. Perhaps Joanthan & rhodri & Mr Buckley could address that question
There are plenty of supermarkets in the locality already as most people who live in llandeilo work outside the town there are ample opportunities to shop in Cross Hands, Carmarthen and Ammanford & llanelli where you cna find Asda, Tescos, Lidl, Aldi etc etc. Llandeilo has climbed back from the brink of the chasm that many small towns have fallen into over the last 15 years through the hard work of local business people who have an affinity to the area who live in the area and who spend money in the area. unlike major supermarkets who close businesses, create traffic problems and do not create 100s of jobs as they always promise, taking moeny from the community up the m4.
There can only be an increase in retail jobs with increase in retail spending, that is not happening. Both developments would mean an over supply of retail floorspace and no net new jobs, just displacement of jobs. There has not been a net new retail job in the UK since 2004
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