The Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick MP has decided not to exercise his power to 'call in' the latest Sainsbury application for an out of town supermarket at Meols Cop despite requests from opponents of the development that he should do so.

A previous application by Sainsburys for an even bigger store was called in by the Coalition government leading to a public enquiry. The latest application was referred to the Secretary of State by resolution of the Sefton Planning Committee.

Cllr. John Pugh, a long time opponent of the scheme was told by government officials that they 'understand there will be great disappointment as a result’ , but that Mr. Jenrick 'is satisfied that the application should be determined at local level '.

Cllr Pugh said: “I did not expect a second enquiry even though the Secretary of State has a somewhat controversial record of overruling local councils.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53056102.

"I did though want to put on record the risks this development presents and sent through to the government a link to the latest town centre Health Check https://www.sefton.gov.uk/media/1756...August2020.pdf .

"This shows that the town centre vacancy rate is already double the national average.”

He added: "An out of town development necessarily impacts on town centre trade and will eventually lead to the departure of Sainsbury’s from Lord St.

"However, it has seemed to me at times as though this planning issue has become a battle of wills where nothing could happen that would change the Council’s mind.

"Personally, however, I would sooner my fears for the future would turn to be groundless. Unfortunately though, since my initial objections the situation in the town centre has got dramatically worse and there are still unexplored uncertainties about the traffic impact at Meols Cop.”

The Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick MP has decided to diminish Councils' role in planning. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has concluded that Councils have delayed and obstructed planning applications on the risible grounds of local preference.

Cllr. John Pugh and roving-eye have omitted that detail.

Originally Posted by sandGroundZero

The Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick MP has decided to diminish Councils' role in planning. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has concluded that Councils have delayed and obstructed planning applications on the risible grounds of local preference.

Cllr. John Pugh and roving-eye have omitted that detail.

And you have omitted to mention that donations to the Tory Party usually follow a favourable Government response.

John Pugh is not even the councillor for the location of this proposed new supermarket.

Cllr. Pugh:

I did not expect a second enquiry even though the Secretary of State has a somewhat controversial record of overruling local councils.
I did though want to put on record the risks this development presents and sent through to the government a link to the latest town centre Health Check

Minister Rob't Jenrick and Cllr. Pugh

No expectation then of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government intervening in the Council's Sainsbury planning approval.

The current government's intention is to largely exclude Councils from the planning process. Cllr. Pugh well knows that revoking the approval would only result in costly failure, if Sainsbury is determined to proceed. Southport's Councillors have traditionally tended to be in the pockets of retail, hospitality & leisure businesses. It is high time they raised their sights and their ambitions for the town.

I hope the Council have taken into consideration, the entrance and exit on the roundabout with the extra traffic?