Supermarket experts say enough is enough
LINLITHGOW doesn't need another supermarket, an expert has said.
The report, commissioned by West Lothian Council, says the town already has adequate provision.
The news has boosted a local campaign against a supermarket and hotel development on Blackness Road, Linlithgow.
The Linlithgow Against Springfield group has been raising awareness for the last few months of the 50,000 square foot supermarket and a 60-bed hotel development plan proposed by Kensington and Edinburgh Estates.
A formal planning application has yet to be lodged for the proposed Boghall East site, and West Lothian Council has requested a full environment and retail assessment from developers before submission.
But a new West Lothian Retail Capacity Study, carried out by the Halcrow Group for West Lothian Council, says that Linlithgow currently has ''adequate provision to meet local convenience shopping needs".
After analysis, it states that ''there will be no retail capacity in Linlithgow due to its satisfactory current retention levels" and "no further floorspace opportunities should be permitted in Bathgate or Linlithgow".
In a shopping survey, the report found that among seven main West Lothian towns, Linlithgow showed greatest frequency of trips to the High Street among shoppers.
The report also praises Linlithgow for its cultural heritage and events including Celebrate Linlithgow and the Linlithgow Folk Festival and for its status as a "popular tourist destination".
Nicholas Leonard, Chair of the Linlithgow Against Springfield Development campaign said: "I welcome the findings of the West Lothian Retail Capacity Study. This extremely thorough and detailed analysis shows clearly that there is no justification whatever for the proposal to develop a new out-of-town supermarket at the Boghall East site on Blackness Road.'' A spokesman for Kensington and Edinburgh Estates said: "We shall be scrutinising in depth the findings of the West Lothian Retail Capacity carried out by the Halcrow Group in due course.
Clearly, as part of any planning submission, a retail impact assessment will be required to be carried out. Kensington and Edinburgh Estates are working on their development proposals and shall be advancing with these at the appropriate opportunity."
To read the Halcrow Report go to www.westlothian.gov.uk/1210/161/205/207
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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