2nd September 2010PORTLAND: Portland regeneration hopes hang on doubling size of proposed sueprmarket
by Paul Crompton
HOPES of regenerating a prominent part of Portland could hang on whether councillors rubber stamp proposals to double the size of a planned discount food supermarket.
Members of Weymouth and Portland planning and traffic committee heard how allowing a 1,345 square metre superstore to be built on the Castle Court site would create confidence and garner commercial interest from outside parties including residential, restaurant and hotel.
A spokesman for the application stood before councillors at the meeting and told them “no firm commercial interest” had currently been shown for the scheme.
He said the amended application was lodged because the discount food store’s business model required more floor space, before adding the rest of the scheme hinged on the acceptance of the proposal.
He said: “This application represents an opportunity to restart the regeneration of the site. This scheme will help further the local economy and social aspects of the area.”
It is hoped the proposed food store would trigger the delivery of Liberty Square, employment units in Mulberry Avenue, a hotel building and over 200 car parking spaces, in parallel to the three story retail shop/office building to the west of the Square.
The application proposes a revision of the initial 704 square metre plans to create a net sales area of 942 square metres.
The proposal is part of a wider regeneration project of the area on Osprey Quay owned by the South West Regional Development agency, and hopes to fulfil the needs of those engaged in water sports and other activities on Portland.
Councillor David Hawkins said: “I feel we should accept this application, it will be very good for the island and very good for Wyke Regis and provide competition to another supermarket on Portland and maybe alleviate the traffic problems on Portland.”
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the proposal, which will now go before the next full council meeting on September 23rd.for approval.
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