Ambitious but controversial plans to build a giant M&S food store at Norcross have moved a step closer after another planning condition was approved as being met and discharged.
The plans to build the 21,500 sq ft retail unit off Norcross Lane were given conditional permission by Wyre Planning Committee in early October, but under the recommendations that it be subject to conditions and a S106 legal agreement.
One of those conditions – number 18- was that “no part of the development shall commence until a scheme for the construction of the site access and off-site highway works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority”.
Now an application to discharge that condition has been approved by Wyre Council, after rad authority Lancashire County Council confirmed it had no objections.
The planning officer stated: “ LCC Highways have commented on the application and, following receipt of confirmation from the agent that the scheme has technical approval, recommended discharge of the condition.
“Given that LCC Highways have not raised any objections to the proposed details under this discharge of conditions application, it is considered that the applicant has met the requirements of Condition 18. “
The S016 required the developers to confirm financial contributions towards Travel Planning and to appropriately secure Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), without which the store plans would nt be able to proceed.
In December the final agreement was reached, signalling that building could press ahead, subject to specific planning conditions
Why is controversial?
The project has proved controversial because M&S has signalled that the store will replace its smaller food store in Cleveleys town centre.
Some residents say that the town centre store is much easier to access for older people and that the Norcross store will not be easy to get to for those who do not have a car.
Other critics say the store will pull vital trade away from Cleveleys town centre and that it will put even more pressure on nearby Norcross roundabout, which is already proving difficult to navigate.
However, the store is expected to create up to 50 new retail jobs and offer 6,600 product lines.
No opening date for the Norcross store has yet been confirmed.
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