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Residents launch fight to stop supermarket scheme
Mar 2, 2010
CONCERNED residents are backing a campaign to stop another major supermarket being opened in the centre of Barnard Castle.
It is believed that developers have held talks with Durham County Council about redeveloping the
auction mart site on Vere Road.
Responding to a rallying cry from Jill Cole, who heads up the Barnard Castle Vision’s 1,000 Voices scheme, a number of local residents have sent her strongly-worded statements opposing any plans for a new supermarket.
Ms Cole said she believes another superstore would be “a serious blow to the town”, adding that it would “sap the vitality of the town’s retail core”.
Traffic access, congestion and unfair competition for local retailers, are just some of the reasons cited by a growing army of campaigners hoping to put a stop to any plans that may be in the pipeline.
Durham County Council has received no planning application but speculation about the site has been rife since the owners of the mart confirmed they were considering a move out of town.
Ms Cole has urged local people to lobby councillors in a bid to stop any plans for what she said would be the “death knell” for Barnard Castle.
In a letter to the Mercury, Ms Cole said: “Anyone who feels at all concerned should start lobbying their local county councillor and contacting planning officials to express their views, but people need to act quickly.”
Local representative Cllr Richard Bell said he had already received emails from worried residents echoing Ms Cole’s concerns.
He said: “Until we have a live planning application, it’s difficult to say anything. But does Barnard Castle need another supermarket? That’s something we need to address and it’s going to be a controversial issue.”
A council spokeswoman said: “We have not received any formal application for the development of the auction mart site but in line with best practice we are always willing to talk to developers.
“When and if we receive an application about the auction mart site it would go through a full process during which the people of Barnard Castle would be able to comment as part of a full and thorough consultation process.”