Anger as Blackpool Co-op 'nobody wanted' is given the go ahead

An artist's impression of the proposed Co-op

A government planning inspector has given developers the all-clear to build the store on the site of the demolished Anchorsholme Methodist Church on North Drive - despite more than 100 letters of objection from residents.

Beverley Wilders over-ruled Blackpool Council which had rejected the application by Melrose Developments.

She said she "had regard to the significant level of local opposition to the proposal and to the nature of the concerns raised" but allowed an appeal by Melrose.

The council's planning committee had rejected the application in July last year after hearing fears the store would lead to increased traffic levels on already busy roads, and damage trade at existing shops in the area.

But in her written ruling, Ms Wilders said: "The evidence appears to show that the nearby local centres at East Pines Drive, Anchorsholme Lane East/West and Fleetwood Road are all performing well and that vacancy rates are low.

"There is no evidence to suggest that any of these centres are particularly susceptible to harm, or that the level of diversion of trade from them likely to result from the proposal would have a significant harmful impact."

She said evidence showed "any additional traffic likely to be generated by the proposal would not have a harmful effect on highway safety."

The inspector added while residents considered the nearby roundabout to be an accident blackspot, road safety records for the last five years "show that whilst some accidents have occurred, the number has been relatively low and none have been fatal."

Anchorsholme ward councillor Tony Williams said the decision was "an insult to local democracy".

He added: "Nobody in the area wanted this store and a large petition was raised against it.

"How can someone sitting in an office hundreds of miles away make a decisions that might have a serious adverse affect of other local businesses and residents living and trading in Anchorsholme? It’s scandalous.

"This site should be for residential properties, not another store."