Change of heart over store plan (From Cotswold Journal)

Change of heart over store plan

1:10pm Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News

A SHIPSTON councillor has had a dramatic change of heart over controversial plans to build a supermarket and petrol station away from the town centre.

District councillor Jonathan Gullis had strongly opposed the application put forward by Ainscough Strategic Land (ASL) which includes more than 50 houses and a care home on land north of Campden Road.

The plans have been a talking point for many months with rival groups SNAS (Shipston Needs a Supermarket and Petrol Station) in direct opposition to Shipston’s Heart Alive!

Campaign (SHA!C).

But in a revised statement on Stratford District Council’s website, Coun Gullis said he thinks he rushed his decision to oppose the plans as he ‘became caught up in the supermarket debate’.

His main reason for the Uturn was the care home which he says is ‘vital to the future of Shipston’ and the supermarket which he says would bring in trade.

He said: “I did not read all the associated documents, speak with the developers or as wide a variety of Shipston people as I should have.”

William Trevethick, of SHA!C, said: “I could see he was rethinking his position.

Obviously he is entitled to express his opinion and I respect that but I think it’s the wrong application in the wrong place.”