Derwent down but not yet out in Trafford battle

DERWENT Holdings has lost the first part of its battle for rival supermarket developments in Old Trafford.

The Isle of Man-based company had appealed a decision by Trafford Council not to grant planning permission for its White City redevelopment, which would have involved construction of a 97,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s supermarket and two non-food units of around 25,000 sq ft.

At the same time, Trafford Council approved a £70m Tesco foodstore-led scheme which also involves the redevelopment of Lancashire County Cricket Club’s Old Trafford stadium.

Derwent lost its appeal against the decision to refuse permission for the White City scheme, with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government agreeing with the Planning Inspector’s decision not to grant permission for the scheme.

In his letter spelling out reasons for his decision, the Secretary of State said that the public transport contribution being offered was not enough for permission to be granted.

Moreover, although the proposal “is acceptable in terms of climate change, accessibility, design and impact on economic and physical regeneration amd social inclusion, it is not in accordance with an up-to-date development plan and would have an adverse affect on Stretford town centre.

“Having weighed up all of the relevant considerations the Secretary of State concludes that the proposal would largely conflict with the development plan and national plan policies, and that there are no material considerations of sufficient weight which would justify allowing the appeal.”

A spokesman for Derwent Holdings said: “We are disappointed with Mr Pickles’s decision and we shall consider his reasons for dismissing our planning appeal.”

A court date has been set for Monday for a judicial review called for by Derwent Holdings into Ask Developments’ rival scheme, which features a 100,000 sq ft Tesco supermarket and a rededeveloped Old Trafford Cricket Ground, including two new stands and a pavilion.

The hearing is set to last for two weeks.

Ask Developments has accused Derwent Holdings’ owner Albert Gubay of using delaying tactics in bringing the case to court, but said that its case was “robust, and will carry the day”.

“Let us be clear – Derwent are challenging the approved LCCC/Tesco planning consent, endorsed by the Secretary of State and supported by the region’s economic development agencies, for the simple reason that their own foodstore application at nearby White City was unsuccessful.
 
Derwent Holdings’ chairman Trevor Wilson has said that its reason for challenging Trafford Council’s approval of the Ask scheme was that “their decision-making was fundamentally flawed”.

” In 2006, Trafford Council understandably prevented Tesco building an 85,000 sq ft store on Stretford High School’s playing fields. However, last year they granted planning consent for a store of twice the size. This does not make any sense and Tesco should not be allowed to ride roughshod over planning law to the detriment of local playing areas,” he said.

“If plans for a massive Tesco foodstore on Stretford High School’s playing fields were allowed, surrounding town centres would be affected and jobs would be lost.”