Public inquiry to be staged after councillors rule against proposal for Ilkley (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Public inquiry to be staged after councillors rule against proposal for Ilkley

5:30pm Wednesday 10th February 2010 in

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Tesco has lodged an appeal against a decision to block plans for a new supermarket in Ilkley – six months after proposals were thrown out.

A public inquiry will now be held into the decision by Bradford planners, who turned down an application to build a new store on an old factory site off Railway Road last August.

A spokesman for the supermarket, which filed the appeal days before the six-month deadline, said they had been deeply disappointed by the decision.

Matthew Magee, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: “We have, of course, taken the comments very seriously and we have not taken the decision to appeal lightly.

“However we remain committed in our belief that Ilkley will benefit from a new store, creating hundreds of new local jobs and helping the centre thrive by giving people a local option for the goods they currently leave the town for.”

Proposals to build on the site, formerly home to Spooner Industries, and redevelop Tesco’s existing site on Springs Lane sparked protests, including 2,000 written objections, public meetings and a petition.

Bradford Council rejected the application saying it would cause a loss of residents’ amenities. The scheme to change the Springs Lane site into business units and a care home was rejected.

Campaign group Ilkley Residents Against Tesco Expansion (IRATE) said it was disappointed that Tesco had not listened to the collective voice of the community.

A spokesman said: “Time and time again Ilkley people have spoken out against the building of an un-needed superstore in a residential area.

“A 5,000 signature petition, 2,000 objection letters and packed halls at two public meetings have clearly stated the town’s views. At the hearing in August, Bradford planners agreed with this view.”

Chairman of the Keighley Area Planning Committee, Councillor Chris Greaves, urged people to be prepared to give evidence at the inquiry.

He said: “We will send the entire planning file to the inspector but he will also ask for written comments and I would urge people to take that opportunity.”