The Tesco Express has thundered back into Layton in a new bid to build a superstore on the site of the Windmill pub. They have appealed the original rejection and the decision is now in the hands of an independent planning honcho.
Before the first application decision, 4 petitions were received by the council containing over 3,750 signatures in objection. They suggest that most of these signatures were collected in pubs and clubs, the implication being that people would have signed anything that was put in front of them because they were intoxicated. Probably true.
Gordon Marsden backed the residents, stating that Tesco would “suck the life out of” Layton’s other businesses and that there would be traffic implications. Joan Humble also stuck her beak in to back existing Layton traders.
And so the initial planning application was rejected for the following reasons:
- It’d reduce the viability and vitality of Layton District Centre resulting in shops closing down
- The building would cause a loss of light, ‘visual intrusion’ and have an ‘overbearing impact’ on surrounding residences
- It would cause an increase in traffic
- It would be an eyesore
- Delivery trucks would be too noisy (reverse beepers, refridgeration units, etc)
I think Tesco put a decent case forward really, although Marsden’s comment about it being a traffic nightmare does carry some weight. Is that due to Tesco, though, or the fact that Roy Fisher’s bonkers regime decided it would be fun to completely block Layton with a stupid road system?
The shop itself is planned to be 924 square metres of floorspace: about 50% larger than the Farmfoods on Devonshire Road. There will be 53 car parking spaces with a few disabled spaces and cycle parking. A cash machine is also planned.
Other supermarkets in the area include a proposed and I believe approved Lidl on Devonshire Road at the old Harry Feeney site, Farmfoods opposite it and Sainsburys in Bispham.
Cath Hurley from Layton Traders’ Association said;
“It will just destroy Layton because they will sell the same things we are selling.”
You missed one key word there Cath. “Cheaper”.
I believe Layton Traders Association are fighting a losing battle here. Tesco are not going to go away and if all else fails they could easily brown envelope the planning inspector.
The ultimate rebuke for the Layton Traders Association is to get people not to shop there, but of the 3,750 petitioners I bet most of them will do.
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Personally I support this store. I am not a huge fan of Layton. I live near Highfield Rd and Highfield Rd is rapidly becoming an excellent shopping area, it has a good selection of independent retailers, restaurants, takeaways and services that live in perfect harmony with a Tesco Express and B&M Bargains, Layton is not a patch on Highfield Rd as far as I am concerned. I often visit Layton when I stop over at my friends house in Stanley Park. In Layton I once had to go in 3 different shops to get the papers because a so-called ‘convenience store’ didn’t even sell papers I found after 5 minutes of aimlessly wandering around the shop. I think a Tesco would do Layton good. Best of luck Tesco.
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Layton is very run down,Tesco will win this one.
Secondly, after they win it, one wonders how many of these protesters will refrain from using the new Tesco; not many! 1%?
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Which part of Layton is very run down Harold..?
I think that Tesco will win this application but the local residents will give them a run for their money..
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Which part isnt run down Peter?
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Sorry I should of asked you to define what you meant by rundown.
I see a small community on the out skirts of Blackpool..
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http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/office_of_the_chief_executive/lancashireprofile/monitors/incomemsoa.asp
This sums up layton adequately, sadly.
Table 1
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Sorry I was talking about Layton Village not the areas desribed on the 2 year old map..
George St etc is a rundown area in decline
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With a ranking of 112 out of 7194 for england and wales ( 7th in lancs) for lowest average gross income per household,that puts little layton as very run down economically imho.
One would have thought that a new store offering jobs and low prices in such a low earning area would be welcome in an area like that.
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If you read the planning rejection, one of the reasons they initially knocked back the Tesco is because for every job it creates it will kill another, meaning zero net gain.
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That may well happen, I suspect Tesco will win,what Tesco wants, Tesco gets.They got their store in Thornton but that has yet to be built though.
Theres superpowers like the USA,Russia, China and of course TESCO,lol
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not sure if I would include Russia along with USA, China and Tesco! hehe
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India then?, lol.
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Layton is becoming a toilet and a Tessco isn’t going to help it in any way.
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Toilet Roll is the answer; wipe the slate clean, lol
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This made me laugh but John or we all know as Craig..
You used to live near to the Queens Hotel in Layton..brilliant pmsl…
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