Supermarket giants Midlands Co-operative and Asda were today locked in High Court dispute over plans for a new Asda store at Thurmaston, Leicestershire.
The Midlands Co-operative Society Ltd is challenging a government decision to grant permission for an Asda store at Thurmaston, claiming that the proposed store will affect both its existing stores in the area and the vitality of nearby Syston town centre.
The Co-op is asking Richards J to quash the planning permission for an 8,038m2 Asda store on land north of Barkby Thorpe Lane, Thurmaston, which was granted by the Secretary of State responsible for planning.
If the permission is quashed, the matter will be returned to the Secretary of State for reconsideration.
The Co-op claims that the Secretary of State was wrong to reject his inspectors recommendation that the planning application for the Asda store be refused on the grounds that it would have a serious impact on Syston town centre. The inspector had found it would be “likely to affect the vitality and viability of Syston” with “serious knock-on effects”.
The hearing continues.
Midlands Co-operative Society Ltd v Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions Queen’s Bench Division (Richards J) 13 May 2002.
PLS News 13/5/02
