Showdown begins over plans for Old Trafford Tesco scheme
LANCASHIRE County Cricket Club (LCCC) begins what chief executive Jim Cumbes describes as a week which “could be the most important in the club’s history”.
A judicial review is taking place challenging the validity of Trafford Council’s decision to grant planning permission to a £70m scheme which involves the construction of a new 155,000 sq ft Tesco and the redevelopment of LCCC’s ground. Derwent Holdings had a similar application to build a 100,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s store at the nearby White City development refused.
The case begins at the High Court in Manchester today and is expected to last until Friday, March 4.
“We are confident that the case presented by Trafford Council, the club and its partners is robust,” said Mr Cumbes.
“The club has spent £1.5m on costs associated with planning, advisors and in particular, Derwent’s delaying tactics. There has also been a £2m reduction in grants as a result of not being able to start the development programme as planned.
“If we win, we can transform the ground and bid to host the 2013 Ashes. If we cannot bring the ground up to international standard, the North West will lose Test cricket and the Ashes for good.”
Alan Burke of the scheme’s developer, Ask, said that following a decision last week by the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government to rule out Derwent’s rival proposal to build a Sainsbury’s store at White City retail park, he was “bemused as to why Derwent would continue their aggressive tactics to overturn the cricket club’s planning consent”.
“If Derwent are successful in their High Court challenge, then the consequences for LCCC, for international cricket, and the economy and profile of Trafford and the wider North west, would be disastrous. There would be no winners.”
Earlier this month, Derwent Holdings chairman Trevor Wilson said that it had sought the review because Trafford Council’s 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.
“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. The White City redevelopment would be affected and more jobs would be lost,” he said.
