Witham: Planners oppose Morrisons extension

4:00pm Friday 15th February 2013 in News

How the extension could look, if given the go ahead How the extension could look, if given the go ahead

Supermarket chain Morrisons claims shoppers could go out of town if plans to extend its Witham store are turned down.

The retailer hopes to increase the sales area of its Braintree Road shop by 70 per cent, creating 50 jobs, a bigger café and new photo department and dry cleaners.

But Braintree Council planning officers have recommended councillors refuse planning permission next week, fearing Morrisons would take trade from Tesco in The Grove Centre - and in turn, Tesco shoppers would not shop elsewhere in the town centre.

They also argue it could affect the planned revamp of the ageing Newlands Shopping Centre.

Comments (9)

9:16pm Fri 15 Feb 13

montygirl says...

Most people already shop out of town as unless you want to go out to eat or go to the bookies there are zero decent shops in Witham in which to shop.No kids toys,clothes shoes or any decent adult shops.Most people go to Chelmsford,Braintree or shop online !
Most people already shop out of town as unless you want to go out to eat or go to the bookies there are zero decent shops in Witham in which to shop.No kids toys,clothes shoes or any decent adult shops.Most people go to Chelmsford,Braintree or shop online ! montygirl

7:37am Sat 16 Feb 13

keith_l says...

Strange that the planners didn't have the same approach when they approved Tesco's plans to take nine spaces out of an already congested car park to set up a car wash that will jeopardise neighbouring car valet business and most likely cost local jobs. On be rule for tesco and one for everyone else. Witham needs a bigger supermarket and tesco hasn't got the space to expand. At the moment we go to Chelmsford or Colchester for our main weekly shop, a bigger shop may encourage us to stay in witham.
Strange that the planners didn't have the same approach when they approved Tesco's plans to take nine spaces out of an already congested car park to set up a car wash that will jeopardise neighbouring car valet business and most likely cost local jobs. On be rule for tesco and one for everyone else. Witham needs a bigger supermarket and tesco hasn't got the space to expand. At the moment we go to Chelmsford or Colchester for our main weekly shop, a bigger shop may encourage us to stay in witham. keith_l

9:38am Sat 16 Feb 13

Hunter Gatherer says...

Can't see a problem, Morrisons are not
increasing their own boundary.
When have BDC ever been worried before about the smaller shops in our
town centre. Why do they always look
after the interests of Tesco?
Can't see a problem, Morrisons are not increasing their own boundary. When have BDC ever been worried before about the smaller shops in our town centre. Why do they always look after the interests of Tesco? Hunter Gatherer

9:51pm Sat 16 Feb 13

montygirl says...

I don't see a problem either as same boundary.Had no problem approving planning permission for flats on Braintree road with no car park so builders just park in the road every morning and clog up the road as cars can't get past on way to Witham station every morning.One rule for one one for another !
I don't see a problem either as same boundary.Had no problem approving planning permission for flats on Braintree road with no car park so builders just park in the road every morning and clog up the road as cars can't get past on way to Witham station every morning.One rule for one one for another ! montygirl

9:06am Sun 17 Feb 13

Hunter Gatherer says...

Yes! we can't understand how they have
been allowed to build those flats quite as high. Are they anything to do with Tesco?

BDC have no problems about developing on rural land in and around
Witham, the inner circle at BDC have
their own agenda, they have no concerns for Witham or it's residents.
Yes! we can't understand how they have been allowed to build those flats quite as high. Are they anything to do with Tesco? BDC have no problems about developing on rural land in and around Witham, the inner circle at BDC have their own agenda, they have no concerns for Witham or it's residents. Hunter Gatherer

3:05pm Sun 17 Feb 13

philip jinman says...

Hunter Gatherer This council not only treats Witham badly. It also treats Braintree badly, we are ringed by three Tesco's. Braintree District Council appear to be in Tesco's pocket
It does not take any notice of petitions or residents
Dictatorship springs to mind
It was called a Tesco town by The Daily Telegraph
As you say the council has its own agenda which does not include the residents
It destroyed our quality of life over four years ago and we are still putting up with the council's incompetence
Councillor's, Officials are incompetent
This is the worst council I have come across
They certainly have their own agenda
Lets build more shops when we have plenty empty
Commonsense appears to be lacking or is there another motive
Hunter Gatherer This council not only treats Witham badly. It also treats Braintree badly, we are ringed by three Tesco's. Braintree District Council appear to be in Tesco's pocket It does not take any notice of petitions or residents Dictatorship springs to mind It was called a Tesco town by The Daily Telegraph As you say the council has its own agenda which does not include the residents It destroyed our quality of life over four years ago and we are still putting up with the council's incompetence Councillor's, Officials are incompetent This is the worst council I have come across They certainly have their own agenda Lets build more shops when we have plenty empty Commonsense appears to be lacking or is there another motive philip jinman

8:45am Mon 18 Feb 13

The Blue Frog says...

montygirl wrote:
I don't see a problem either as same boundary.Had no problem approving planning permission for flats on Braintree road with no car park so builders just park in the road every morning and clog up the road as cars can't get past on way to Witham station every morning.One rule for one one for another !
I agree Montygirl. The builders throw their cars up on the footpath opposite the flats, turning it into a quagmire and blocking walkers' access. If those flats don't come with at least one parking space each then it will cause more problems. How on earth did they get permission for 9 flats there?
[quote][p][bold]montygirl[/bold] wrote: I don't see a problem either as same boundary.Had no problem approving planning permission for flats on Braintree road with no car park so builders just park in the road every morning and clog up the road as cars can't get past on way to Witham station every morning.One rule for one one for another ![/p][/quote]I agree Montygirl. The builders throw their cars up on the footpath opposite the flats, turning it into a quagmire and blocking walkers' access. If those flats don't come with at least one parking space each then it will cause more problems. How on earth did they get permission for 9 flats there? The Blue Frog

2:30pm Mon 18 Feb 13

GbLLoyd says...

Strange how Braintree Council worry about trade being taken from Tesco but did not worry about Tesco taking trade from all the local shops leaving the town like a ghost town. They have no objection to Tesco expanding in Witham yet seem to object to a bit a competition from Morrisons.. Wiitham keeps loosing out because Braintree Council keeps objecting to stores. If expansion plans are refused I hope Morrisons drag them through the courts.
Strange how Braintree Council worry about trade being taken from Tesco but did not worry about Tesco taking trade from all the local shops leaving the town like a ghost town. They have no objection to Tesco expanding in Witham yet seem to object to a bit a competition from Morrisons.. Wiitham keeps loosing out because Braintree Council keeps objecting to stores. If expansion plans are refused I hope Morrisons drag them through the courts. GbLLoyd

8:37pm Mon 25 Feb 13

kzzzz5 says...

I would have thought creating 50+ Jobs in the local community would be good for Witham!
I would have thought creating 50+ Jobs in the local community would be good for Witham! kzzzz5

Comments are closed on this article.

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