HISTORY OF THE SITE..

Potential development of the site, which was vacated by MFI in 2003, has become something of a lengthy saga.

In 2014 Allanwater Developments sought to build 21 houses, 24 flats and 4000 square feet of retail space on the plot, however their application was withdrawn after council planners recommended refusal and the scheme attracted objections of two community councils.

Among planners’concerns at that time was the monetary contribution towards infrastructure and education provision which is generally expected from those wishing to develop schemes of this size.

The council estimated that £377,128 should be forthcoming from Allanwater but at that point only £40,000 had been offered and there had been no indication that affordable housing was included in the plans.

A supermarket proposal was lodged in 2009 just months after the developers ditched plans to build 17 townhouses and 45 flats on the land.

The store plan was approved but never built. Renewal of permission in principle for the supermarket was granted in 2015, however council planners have previously acknowledged that such a large retail-only proposal is unlikely to come to fruition any time soon.

Amenity notices were served in 2011 and 2014 because of the condition of the site but by December last year council planners said its state had gone downhill again and was proving an eyesore for residents living around the area. Allanwater Developments said their attempts to secure the site were being thwarted by vandals but pledged to continue their efforts and remove any fly tipping.