Supermarket talks are left ‘far too late’ (From Cotswold Journal)

Supermarket talks are left ‘far too late’

2:00pm Friday 19th October 2012 in News By Freya Leng

A SHIPSTON town councillor has said discussions about a proposed supermarket and petrol station should have been held months ago.

Plans put forward by Ainscough Strategic Land (ASL), which include more than 50 houses and a care home on land north of the Campden Road, have been a talking point in the town for many months with groups set up in support of, and in opposition to, the plans.

A meeting was called by the Mayor Fay Ivens on September 24 between rival groups SNAS (Shipston Needs a Supermarket and Petrol Station) and Shipston’s Heart Alive! Campaign (SHA!C) so they could “reach some common ground”.

But Councillor Mark Wildish said that discussions should have started a long time ago. Speaking at a recent town council meeting he said: “This was the start of what should have been a process that started well over 12 months ago.

“This has been left far too late. We’re trying to do what should have been done almost before the ASL application came before the town.

The application has been in for nine months.”

Coun Paul Rathkey said it was not the fault of the town council. “This town council met a year before ASL put in any application,” he said.

“We held two public meetings so you have had ample opportunity to discuss this.

If you want to hold another public meeting I suggest you hold it yourselves.”

Meanwhile, SHA!C has launched a new website which includes a petition.

William Trevithick, Shipston Heart Alive co-ordinator, said: “We have longterm objectives to promote our town centre, but immediately we need to see off the planning application from northern developers ASL.

“If it is approved it will open the floodgates for development on all green field land, on both sides of the Campden Road, between the town boundaries and the A429 Fosse Way.”

For details, visit shipstonheartalive.co.uk