A PLANNING consultancy in Warrington has been accused of "oppressive lobbying" after threatening a borough council with legal action if it approved a rival application.

The Ribble Valley Council's planning committee gave Safeway the go-ahead to build a 10,000 sq ft store in the town, but criticised agents G. L. Hearn and Partners for using threats to try to get a scheme from E.H. Booth turned down.

Coun Derek Waller accused the firm of "oppressive lobbying" after it wrote to individual councillors claiming Safeway would seek a judicial review if the rival application was approved. It was.

The letter argued that in the absence of a town centre site to accommodate a foodstore, approval should be given to the edge of centre proposal from Safeway.

It stated: "Given the lack of need for two new foodstores in Longridge, a proposal for an out of centre site, which the Booth's application represents, should be refused. "This approach would be in line with application and appeal decisions throughout the country.

"Should you accept your officer's recommendation to approve the Booth's application in the face of this conflict with planning policy, we would have no alternative but to request the Secretary of State to call in the application for his own determination."

The letter stated that Safeway would also seek a judicial review of "any approval granted in respect of the Booth's proposal".

Committee chairman Frank Dyson said afterward he was surprised that a professional firm had indulged in threats.

He commented: "This letter was an attempt to instill fear in councillors by using legalese.

"As planning councillors, we get letters all the time, but not of this tone.

"I wouldn't wish to suppress the right of anyone to comment on planning applications, but a professional body should avoid indulging in threats. The tone of the letter was rather unusual."

A spokesman for G. L. Hearn said the firm had "no comment" to make on the matter.

The letter has been placed in the hands of the council's legal director, Paul Timson.

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