An Aughton woman has praised 'brilliant' Borough Council planning officers for their response after raising concerns over the new Co-op development in Town Green.

Vale contractors are converting the former Cockbeck into a new community store – and Karen Martindale was just one of a number of concerned locals who contacted officers after a magnificent Wisteria at the front of the pub looked like it might disappear...

Yesterday evening she told QLocal’s Roger Blaxall: “I have spoken to Planning at West Lancs. and they have been brilliant in their responses.

“The application from the agent stated erroneously that there were no trees or hedges on the site.

“It seems that the officer handing the application to turn the pub into a co-op identified that this was not correct but neglected to inform the WLBC tree officers that there were trees on site around the car parking at the back covered by Tree Preservation Orders. This officer has now left.

“They have promised to look into how this was all overlooked in order to be sure it does not happen again.

“The plans as passed and showing on the council website show most of the trees removed. However the contractors are working to different (and in my opinion) much better plans which have a different parking configuration and retain all the trees and the privet hedge alongside the footpath besides the War Memorial.

“Interestingly these pathways have a local idiosyncratic name, and are known as ‘the Pads’ possibly deriving from footpads, an old name for pathways.

“The issue now is the planting at the front which was a joy to walk past. It had been carefully planted with ground cover and specimen trees, a magnificent Magnolia and lovely conifer with a perfect Christmas tree shape that used to be decorated with lights at Christmas.

“According to Vale, it’s been inundated with requests from people asking them to save the plants! All have now gone except for a Wisteria which is in full bud and will in a few weeks be a wonderful cascade of purple, hanging flowers,” she added.

The new shop will have the front door returned to the centre of the facade and a ramp to the right of that; the space to the left of the facade is just nothing and Karen’s hoping the Co-op can be persuaded to reinstate this as vegetation and keep the rural village feel that residents so clearly have an appreciation for.

“I heard from a lady in the Spar that one resident had emailed the Co-op weeks ago asking them to protect the magnolia, but that they got no reply,” Karen continued.

“I have spoken to the agent who made the application on behalf of the Co-op who stated that the application plans were ‘very sketchy’ but he didn't see why the planting could not be kept.

“The good news is that Vale‘s agreed to keep the Wisteria for now and I am trying to find who to speak to at the Co-op. I hope to appeal to their community spirit and a desire not to start off on the wrong foot with the community they wish to be a part of,” said Karen.

It’s expected that the new store will be a popular addition to the growing community of Aughton – although its late opening hours have rankled some. And what future for the two ‘traditional’ Town Green stores opposite – will it be an end for the Spar mini market and an unpredictable few months for Huyton’s the butcher which also runs a very popular butty counter and greengrocers?