SAFEWAY'S controversial expansion plans for St Annes will come under fire next week.

St Annes councillors will get their first chance to put their views to Safeway in an informal fact-finding meeting next Wednesday, September 17.

The supermarket chain's property agents provoked an upsurge of opposition when they approached land-owners over a possible site which includes part of the much-loved Ashton Gardens.

A 500-name petition and more than 50 protest letters have already been sent to Fylde Council - and Safeway has yet to submit a planning application.

Chief planning officer Paul Drinnan said: "Councillors were asking us questions we couldn't answer because we haven't yet received an application, so we suggested an exploratory meeting with the company where they can make suggestions and put alternatives."

The meeting, he said, would not just be about Ashton Gardens but the broader impact of an expanded supermarket on the town centre, including traffic issues.

Safeway's agents are understood to have contacted the owners of four adjoining properties opposite its existing supermarket in St Andrews Road North.

These are: St Annes police station - South Fylde policing is now mainly controlled from Lytham - the Dean Smith car showroom, St Annes Clifton Casino and Ashton Gardens' bowling green, cafe and children's play area.

St Annes councillor Alfred Jealous said: "I would oppose any suggestion of taking over part of Ashton Gardens, and also of closing off the top end of St Georges Road.

"I'll be questioning them closely about what they actually want and asking if there are any alternatives."

The council not only has a planning interest but owns Ashton Gardens and would have to agree to sell this slice if the project were to go ahead.

Safeway would also have to provide alternative recreation space.

The supermarket group maintains it needs to expand to remain competitive with the large out-of-town superstores like Tesco and Morrisons.

Its existing site could be leased as a DIY store. Fylde Council has ruled against out-of-town supermarkets.

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