NEW TOWN CENTRE RETAIL PROJECT RECEIVES A GREEN LIGHT

  The  Wharf Retail Park development, which could create scores of new jobs, has been passed by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Planning Committee. 

The Henry Boot Development is planning to create 11 stores and 27 flats in the £ 30-million project which will revitalize a derelict part of the town centre. 

As reported in the Grimsby Telegraph, plans for the development were previously deferred because of concerns over congestion and traffic management.  The plan was redrawn and now a one-way road over the river from Frederick Ward Way will give shoppers access to the retail park.

 The plan, which also includes 290 parking spaces, will add 150,000sq ft of shopping space to Grimsby’s town centre.

Developers say despite the economic slowdown nationally, they are confident that the park will prosper.. There are at least six interested retaillers, including Debenhams, in talks with the developers, and it is hoped construction will start late this year or early 2009.

The existing Water Sports Centre is due to be demolished and replaced with a new one.

Vice-chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor Doug Pickett (Lib Dem, South), said: “They have improved the traffic design and the plan is better than it was. It will be good for the town on balance “With a wider variety of shops in Grimsby, it will save shoppers wanting to travel to Hull, Lincoln or Doncaster. “With flats above the stores, it will bring life to the town centre and discourage anti-social behaviour.”

Vivienne Clements, the Henry Boot Developments director who has overseen Wharf Retail

Park’s conception, said: “We are very pleased to get the planning permission.

“It is a terrific regeneration scheme for Grimsby and we have worked very hard to satisfy the concerns raised.  Hopefully, everybody will be happy with the outcome.

“It was very important to get to this stage. We really needed to get to this step so we can start to approach retailers with a view to a commitment and more certainty.

“Interested parties are believed to be primarily in fashion retailing, with the offer from Henry Boot more suitable for larger stores.