Controversial store finally gets go-ahead (From Daily Echo)
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Sainsbury's store in Bishop's Waltham opposed by Amanda Holden can be built
10:17am Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News
By Emma Streatfield, Senior Reporter
Amanda Holden, who joined the campaign against plans for a new Sainsbury's in Bishop's Waltham
A SUPERMARKET giant can finally start building a controversial store in a Hampshire town.
The way now appears clear for Sainsbury’s to begin development of the store in Bishop’s Waltham, which was halted after objection was made to proposals to close a section of road.
A Government planning inspection has now ruled that shutting part of Station Road to traffic should be allowed following a one-day public inquiry in October.
Sainsbury’s said it was pleased at the decision and expects building work to begin this summer.
The scheme, on the Abbey Mill Business Site, Station Road, which will create 350 jobs, had split opinion in the Bishop’s Waltham community, but got planning permission back in 2011.
One vocal critic was Britain’s Got Talent star Amanda Holden, pictured right, who grew up in the town.
The Sainsbury’s-opposed Bishop’s Waltham Action group chairman Tony Kippenberger said that the guidelines of the inquiry were so tight that many of their concerns were not admissible.
“We’re not aware of anything else that would stop them.
“There’s a sense of resignation that it will now go ahead. Our attention turns to doing everything we can to sustain the high street.”
Former chairman Henry Fryer added: “My view is people in the village recognise that Sainsbury’s will now build a supermarket there and we will go along with that because the time for protest is past.
“Those who formed the group were concerned that Sainsbury’s coming would have a negative impact on independent shops.
“We must work hard to make sure that doesn’t happen and support the individual retailers.
He said he was not aware of any scope to make further objections or appeals.
“We have been drinking in the last chance saloon and we’re now going to head off to another bar.”
John Hayter, from Bishop’s Waltham, who objected to the measures and spoke at the inquiry, said he was disappointed by the decision but did not plan to pursue it further.
He added that the road would now be a cul-de-sac and difficult to turn around on.
Peter Watson, chairman of the Bishop’s Waltham Another View group, who supported the Sainsbury’s application, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that finally something’s going to happen.
“In our view common sense has prevailed.
“At the end of the day, what’s wrong with some healthy competition?”
He said it would also bring with it a new doctor’s surgery.
Comments(15)
rockstone1
says...
10:44am Thu 3 Jan 13
Likesadrink
says...
11:13am Thu 3 Jan 13
nedscrumpo
says...
11:13am Thu 3 Jan 13
rockstone1 wrote:Spot on! And to all drivers heading for Winchester, look forward to the time you will have to wait for sainsbury's traffic. How long until there are traffic lights at that roundabout?
'He said it would also bring with it a new doctor’s surgery'...and a nice little nest egg for the doctors! The old surgery site is perfect for development, no wonder they were so supportive!
Northamboy
says...
1:53pm Thu 3 Jan 13
pmfwatson
says...
4:19pm Thu 3 Jan 13
I believe this has been the correct decision for Bishop’s Waltham, as some 5,500 people were in favour of the project, as opposed to some 4,000 people who signed the “No” petition.
Lastly Ms Holden actually grew up in Waltham Chase not Bishop’s Waltham.
Bishop’s Waltham High Street is doing well and does not look anything like Shepton Mallet High Street as the doom mongers said it would be, Fullers and costa have already moved in to BW and I wouldn’t mind betting that they cannot just smell the coffee but a good business opportunity as well.
SaintM
says...
5:32pm Thu 3 Jan 13
chunky_lover
says...
10:16pm Thu 3 Jan 13
SaintM wrote:big f'ing deal, so what?
so traffic light within 6 months then, watch this space.
Pikey-Biker
says...
6:13am Fri 4 Jan 13
S!monOn
says...
10:04am Fri 4 Jan 13
Northamboy wrote:Each to their own opinion.
Wrong decision for Bishops Walthams future. It will end up just like Hedge End is now. Hedge End used to be a nice little place to live but it's not anymore.
I have lived in Hedge End for the last 20 years and it is still a nice place to live.
A lot nicer than, say, Northam?
nedscrumpo
says...
1:53pm Fri 4 Jan 13
pmfwatson wrote:As I recall the HIghways Agency was concerned about traffic flow from a B road into a little road by a duck pond!
What a shame that some don’t get their facts right before commenting about this subject. The doctors are distinctly tied into this project with some heavy financial commitments for the new surgery. At least the old surgery site will be developed somehow, unlike a few miles down the road where Wickham proudly boasts a new doctor’s surgery and the old one is standing out like an old eyesore and it has been for sale for ages with no takers? The Highways agencies are the traffic experts and they do not believe there is any need for traffic lights at the roundabout so there won’t be!
I believe this has been the correct decision for Bishop’s Waltham, as some 5,500 people were in favour of the project, as opposed to some 4,000 people who signed the “No” petition.
Lastly Ms Holden actually grew up in Waltham Chase not Bishop’s Waltham.
Bishop’s Waltham High Street is doing well and does not look anything like Shepton Mallet High Street as the doom mongers said it would be, Fullers and costa have already moved in to BW and I wouldn’t mind betting that they cannot just smell the coffee but a good business opportunity as well.
kingnotail
says...
3:31pm Fri 4 Jan 13
S!monOn wrote:Ha ha the Northam estate is one of the filthiest, ugliest places I have ever seen.
Northamboy wrote:Each to their own opinion.
Wrong decision for Bishops Walthams future. It will end up just like Hedge End is now. Hedge End used to be a nice little place to live but it's not anymore.
I have lived in Hedge End for the last 20 years and it is still a nice place to live.
A lot nicer than, say, Northam?
sarfhamton
says...
3:37pm Fri 4 Jan 13
kingnotail wrote:At least people in Northam will say hello to you, more than can be said for Bishops Waltham.
S!monOn wrote:Ha ha the Northam estate is one of the filthiest, ugliest places I have ever seen.
Northamboy wrote:Each to their own opinion.
Wrong decision for Bishops Walthams future. It will end up just like Hedge End is now. Hedge End used to be a nice little place to live but it's not anymore.
I have lived in Hedge End for the last 20 years and it is still a nice place to live.
A lot nicer than, say, Northam?
kingnotail
says...
5:09pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Pikey-Biker
says...
7:13pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Linesman says...
10:33am Thu 3 Jan 13
I just find it very strange to see the words 'Britain's got talent' and 'Amanda Holden' in the same sentence.