Residents fear development spells disaster

Many stunned by scale of retail park

RESIDENTS HAVE raised fears that plans to open a major retail development on the edge of a Yorkshire Dales market town will spell disaster for the “delicately balanced” local economy.

Residents and businesses in the area have spoken out after the plans for a site on the fringes of Leyburn were lodged with Richmondshire District Council.

The proposals include a 40room hotel, a 158-cover restaurant and a garden centre the same size as an average Tesco superstore on a field off Harmby Road.

Many residents have said while they had accepted that the former Dales Food And Drink Festival field would be developed, they have been left stunned by the scale of the proposals, while others have claimed it will help boost the town and enable young people to live and work in the area.

The scheme, which would involve garden and farm supplies

retailer Sam Turner and Sons and pubs chain the Inn Collection, has generated numerous letters of both objection and support, with the most contentious issue appearing to be the effect the development would have on the economy and Leyburn’s town centre.

One supporter,

Andrew

Waites, said it was important to encourage local businesses to grow, but Leyburn town centre was restricted by building density and building ownership.

He wrote: “When situations like this occur, there is no expansion opportunities for business, and it either stagnates, holds it own, dies or relocates out of the town.”

However, objector Rob MacDonald added: “It is easy to accuse objectors of sentimentalism or nimbyism, but I think the many objections already raised to this proposal are economically as well as culturally grounded.

“Leyburn pulls off a rare achievement, to be both a viable, functioning hub for the local population and an authentically attractive, distinctive, rural market town.”

Alan Jarvis, whose property is just 15 yards from the proposed play barn, said there were many statements in the planning application that people were finding it hard to understand, so it was vital the planning process was put on hold.