The future of retailing in Ashburton could be decided today when controversial schemes to build two stores on the edge of town go before Dartmoor planners.

Opposition to both pro-jects is widespread, with fears that out of town shops will kill off the high street.

Among those to object are hundreds of residents, the town council, chamber of trade and Central Devon MP Mel Stride.

The Co-op wants to build a 4,000 sq ft store on land at Linhay 21 Business Park, where permission exists for office use only.

The firm forecasts a 17 per cent drop in trade at its town store and the nearby Spar.

Chamber chairman Birdi Richardson said: 'At present l From poage 1

the planning laws of the country are heavily weighted in favour of the applicant although it is hoped that the new localism bill will alter this balance. But this is not something that Ashburton can rely on.'

Planning officers at Dartmoor National Park Authority have recommended refusal on the grounds of damaging town centre trade, loss of employment land and extra car journeys.

Members of the development management committee are due to meet at Parke, Bovey Tracey, today, and will consider the application.

They will also discuss the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary's plan to demolish the police station and develop a retail store and offices on the East Street site.

At last month's development management meeting members struggled to find reasons for refusal with their officers recommending approval and no objections from either Teignbridge Council or County Hall.

They opted to hold a site inspection, the report from which will be presented at today's meeting.

It will recommend refusal on the grounds the proposed store 'does not make adequate provision for the loading and unloading of good vehicles within the site and would therefore encourage such vehicles to park on the highway with consequent additional danger to all users of the road'.

However, officers will still advise approval.

The meeting will be told: 'The proposed office and retail development will sustain an economic use on this site.

'In addition the redevelopment... offers an opportunity to remove a poor quality building and to improve the visual appearance of the site by providing a new contemporary building of good quality.

'The concerns raised by the town council and local residents are understood but it is

considered that the proposed small scale retail unit will not have a detrimental impact on highway safety, town centre trading, flood risk or residential amenity.'

ashburtonretail02.08.11nac

mda

412