Residents’ first look at plans for Neston supermarket

Mar 12 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Neston News

NESTON residents have been given their first glimpse of controversial plans to build a supermarket in the town centre.

A planning application was submitted last week for a 35,000sq ft Sainsbury’s store with 238 parking spaces.

The store would be built on the car park behind Neston Town Hall.

An exhibition on the proposals opened at the Blackwell Building, at the rear of the town hall, on Monday.

Ellesmere Port and Neston Council officials believe a superstore is the answer to declining trade in the town centre but some residents the News spoke to on Monday remain sceptical.

One man who viewed the exhibition on Monday, who asked not to be named, said: “I feel the supermarket is being imposed on Neston, rather than being what Neston residents want.”

The closing date for comments on the proposals is Friday, April 14 and a final decision is expected to be made by the end of May.

Sainsbury’s representatives at the exhibition said the store could be up and running in 21 months if planning permission is granted.

Members of the public can view the exhibition at the Blackwell Building on Friday between 3 and 7.30pm.

The exhibition is also at Neston Cricket Club, Station Road, Parkgate tomorrow (Thursday) between 3 and 7.30pm.