Store decision is 'disgusting'

The council has approved a scheme by developers Citypark Realty to construct an ASDA food retail store at the Cop Lane site in the town.

It was approved ahead of the bid by Dransfield Properties Ltd which would have seen a Morrisons store built at the site.

The decision was made at a special policy meeting of the council and endorsed by Fleetwood Regeneration Partnership this week.

The multi-million pound development will create more than 300 jobs and is seen as vital for the regeneration of Fleetwood town centre.

Explaining the decision Wyre Council chief executive Michael Brown said: "Members approved the Citypark Realty scheme on the basis that it would require no further public or SRB spending. This in turn will open up exciting possibilities which otherwise might not have happened.

"We will be looking again at elements of the original SRB submission with a view to taking the regeneration of Fleetwood another step forward. Early discussions will be held with the executive committee of the regeneration partnership." Members also approved the principle of using compulsory purchase powers to acquire land and premises for the improvement and redevelopment of the area.

But the decision has been condemned as "disgusting" by Fleetwood Civic Society chairman Malcolm Ratcliffe.

He said: "This is very disappointing for the people of Fleetwood. The new development should have represented a focal point for the town with a building of real stature which would have attracted shoppers.

"The scheme they approved is a low cost option and it could spell the end for many shops in the town."

A spokesman from Dransfield Properties Limited said: "We are obviously disappointed to hear the council has decide to back plans for an ASDA store in Fleetwood Town Centre.

"We and Morrisons have spent more than a year putting together a scheme which is of an extremely high standard and one of which the people of Fleetwood would be proud ."