Environment Secretary John Gummer has approved plans for a £15m retail development on a 6.5ha (16.2 acre) site in Barkby Thorpe Lane, Thurmaston, Leicestershire.
Wyncote Developments originally called for the inquiry when Charnwood Borough Council rejected its plans for 10 retail warehouses, a foodstore, a restaurant, a garden centre and 650-space car park.
The inspector’s report concludes that the retail warehousing would not affect the existing district centre or Syston town centre. The proposed food store would have a “marked but not seriously harmful impact” on the existing Co-op superstore and a limited effect on foodstores in Syston. The report also states: “It is highly unlikely that development of the Powergen site would be prejudiced [by the development]”
However, in order to ensure that the development remains a retail warehouse scheme, the Inspector has upheld the Council’s demand that sub-division of units on the site should not be permitted.
EGi News 01/08/96
