Years of delays over the creation of a Sainsbury’s store on Meols Cop Retail Park could finally be over after a high court ruling dismissed planning concerns over the development.
OTS understands that the latest delay was due to a judicial review, launched by an unknown third party business into the planning decision..
The final planning agreement means that Sainsbury’s Lord Street store must remain open for five years, else the new Meols Cop facility will not be permitted to trade.
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “We are pleased that a High Court ruling has found in favour of planning permission being granted for the creation of a Sainsbury’s superstore in Meols Cop, Southport.
“This decision to find in favour of the council’s initial judgement is warmly welcomed and reiterates the extensive discussions, analysis and due diligence conducted by Sefton’s planning team throughout this process.
“Members of the local authority’s Planning Committee resolved in 2020 to grant planning permission for proposed Sainsbury’s store on Meols Cop Retail Park, subject to the application being referred to the Secretary of State.
“This permission remains wholly subject to the provision that from the date of any new store at Meols Cop opening, Sainsbury’s must continue to trade from the Lord Street store for a minimum of five years.
“Should Lord Street close prior to that five year period, it would then mean there can be no further trading from the Meols Cop store.
“This precaution is covered by a legal agreement as we continue to help safeguard the continued health and regeneration of Southport Town Centre.
“Work to construct the Meols Cop Store can now begin.”