Plans to build a new Sainsbury’s supermarket in Southport have today been given the backing of Sefton Council.
The local authority’s Planning Committee agreed to a revised application to finally build the store at the site of the former Homebase store, plus two empty adjacent units, at Meols Cop Retail Park in Blowick.
The scheme will involve building a new retail building to be used as a ‘foodstore’, along with a petrol filling station and a public recycling facility; alterations to access via Meols Cop Road and Foul Lane; provision of new car parking and reconfiguration of the existing car park; and associated infrastructure works following the demolition of the existing buildings.
Four years ago Sainsbury’s was given the green light to build a 10,942 sq m store which would have created 400 new jobs.
Their revised plans call for a smaller 7,596 sq m supermarket than originally planned, with the creation of 200 jobs.
The application for the smaller store will now be referred to the Secretary of State for determination with a recommendation for approval.
It would be subject to conditions which include keeping the Southport town centre Sainsbury’s store, on Great George’s Place adjacent to Lord Street, for a minimum period of five years and a commitment to local labour provision.
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Members resolved to grant planning permission for a revised Sainsbury’s store.
“This resolution is subject to the provision that, from the date of any new store at Meols Cop opening, Sainsbury’s must continue to trade from the Lord Street store for a minimum of five years.
“The council expects to issue its final decision once it has had final agreement from the Secretary of State which can take up to 21 days.”
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Sainsbury’s has been approached for comment.
Over the past four years Sainsbury’s has remained very quiet over its plans for the former Homebase site.
But in a letter sent to Sefton Council last month, Sainsbury’s Head of Real Estate Development Chris Templeman said: “Sainsbury’s remains committed to delivering a superstore to help meet the needs of our customers in Southport.
“Our preference is to secure permission for the revised store sought as part of the current application as it better meets our current business model.
“As stated previously, we have an agreement for lease in place for that permission for 25 years.
“We trust that this correspondence proves clarity of our intentions in respect of the approved development scheme and our continued desire to deliver a full range foodstore at the application site.
“A positive resolution would deliver a substantial range of benefits for local people and the local economy.”
An artist’s impression of the proposed new Sainsbury’s supermarket at Meols Cop retial park in Southport
The scheme has not been without its detractors. Opponents believe the scheme will draw trade away from Southport town centre and the Central 12 retail park on Derby Road as well as creating more traffic congestion on Meols Cop Road.
Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said: “Sainsbury’s are a great company, and one we have worked in partnership with in the past. They are a great brand with a clientele and target market that aligns with Southport.
“We welcome their presence within the town as a whole and hope to see their busy store on Lord Street remain, keeping the link with the brand in the town centre itself.
“We will continue to work with them and support the company in any way to keep their name on our high street.”
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