Traders hit out over plans for Newport retail park

Newport Town Team has said the area's economy remains "fragile" and that the proposed development, which would include a Lidl supermarket and create 88 jobs, would not help.

The group said 52 businesses had set up shop in the town and then left over the past 44 months.

The Lidl store has been proposed along with four shops and a cafe or restaurant, which could be built near to the new Aldi supermarket in Audley Avenue.

It could also include a petrol station, which residents say is much needed on the A41.

A planning and retail proposal submitted with the application suggests it could bring £2.5 million to the local economy.

In a letter to planning officers Mike Atherton, town team manager, said the plans would undermine the economic viability of retail businesses in Newport's town centre. He said: "Since April 2013 the town team has maintained a log of empty retail and service business premises in the town centre.

"While the number of empty shops at any one time is recorded as low (between three and eight) during the 44-month period to date 52 businesses have closed at some stage leaving empty premises.

"A large majority of these businesses were small independent retail businesses – the sort that bring uniqueness, quality and choice to a market town. It is likely that the proposed development will worsen this situation.

"The proposed edge-of-town development is too far from the town centre to encourage sustainable modes of transport with a majority of potential shoppers likely to travel by car." He also raised concerns about the plans, saying it will damage ongoing efforts to develop Newport's heritage and visitor economy and said access to the new retail park could be dangerous.

He said: "Proposed direct access to or egress on to the A41 will cause unnecessary traffic conflicts which will inevitably result in serious and fatal road accidents.

"Direct access on to the A41 will further exacerbate congestion. Right turning egress will be extremely difficult and unnecessarily hazardous at peak and off-peak times."

The plans were submitted on Friday and have already attracted seven comments of objection and two of support from people living in Newport.

The new retail park comes after 160 jobs at the neighbouring Audley Avenue Enterprise Park were secured after Telford & Wrekin Council bought the park.