Meols Cop Sainsbury’s delayed again after new legal challenge launched

4th January 2022

Further legal action opposing Sefton Council’s planning approval for a Sainsbury’s store on Meols Cop Retail Park has been launched.

In December, Sefton Council announced that “work to construct the Meols Cop Store can now begin.”

However, OTS News understands that Southport & Windsor Properties LLP have asserted their right to appeal the latest High Court ruling.

A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s told OTS News: “We’re not yet in a position to share our plans for the new store because an appeal against the judgement upholding the Council’s decision to grant planning consent has been lodged. Once we have clarity on the outcome of this, we’ll keep the local community updated on next steps.”

Plans for the new store were initially proposed in 2014 but have been regularly opposed by competitors and councillors. An enquiry into the development back in 2015 cost the Council £130,000.

In 2017, planning permission was initially granted for Sainsbury’s to demolish the former Homebase unit on the retail park and build a 60,000sq ft supermarket with adjoining petrol station. The plans were later revised down to a smaller 50,000sq ft store.

Gerard Carney of Southport & WIndsor Properties LLP and a former director of Southport Rugby Club said in 2019 that the “application only creates 30 full-time jobs and 170 part-time jobs, with £15m private sector investment.

“In comparison, £7.9m is lost to the town centre each year.”

The creation of any new Sainsbury’s branch at Meols Cop will be subject to the company’s Lord Street store remaining open for five years.

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