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The Clitheroe


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DIY giant wins right to build superstore


by Julie Magee


DIY giant Homebase has won its appeal to build a superstore in


Clitheroe. Aft^r more than three months of delib­


eration, Planning Inspector Philip Crookes' eagerly-awaited decision was released on Monday. He has resolved to allow the appeal by


Homebase against Ribble Valley Bor­ ough Council’s decision to refuse plans to build a store a t Queensway, Wilkin Bridge/Highfield Road and to grant planning permission for Homebase’s application. Members of the borough council threw


out plans to construct a store with asso­ ciated garden centre, car parking and landscaping back in February, 2006, to the delight of many local traders. Despite the plans being recommended


for approval by the council’s own plan­ ning officers, councillors moved refusal on the grounds the development would affect the vitality of Clitheroe Town Centre and would be a disaster architec­


turally. Homebase appealed against this deci­


sion and a public inquiry into the matter


was held in February. During the inquiry, Ribble Valley Bor­


ough Council fiercely defended its deci­ sion to refuse Homebase’s application employing consultants at a cost of £24,730 to argue its case. Dawson’s Department Store in Clitheroe also gave evidence. However, in his appeal decision sum­


mary, Mr Crookes concluded that the vitality and viability of the town centre was “unlikely to be seriously affected by the proposed development”. He said Homebase’s lawyers had suc­


cessfully demonstrated that there was a “quantitative demand” within the Clitheroe area for a store selling the type of classified goods proposed. Mr Crookes added that the impact of the development on the town centre as a


whole would be small. Conceding tha t the development’s


main impact would be on Dawson’s, he said: “Because of the proven flexibility of the company to adapt to change, the spe­ cific impact on the store operated by RE Dawson Limited would not be sufficient to resist the proposal given the overall benefits it would bring to Clitheroe’s res­


idents. “There would therefore, in my opinion,


be little likelihood of any materially adverse effect on the retail health of the


Fury as lime trees face the chop


ANCIENT trees in the heart of Clitheroe could face the axe. Angry residents in York Street have


hit out at council bosses who are plan­ ning to chop down lime trees, pictured above, outside Clitheroe Royal Gram­ mar School Sixth-Form Centre. It is claimed that the trees are damag­


ing the pavement and could be a risk to people walking along the route. The news has outraged local residents


who want the trees to stay. Mr Robert Shaw, of York Street, said:


“The nine trees outside the school have been there for years. None of the resi­


dents has been consulted about this.” A spokesman for Lancashire County


Council said: “The county is working with the district council to solve a prob­ lem which, if left, could cause serious problems. Lime trees are not suitable for urban areas and the ones in York Street are damaging the pavement and have the potential to be unstable. That is why we are consulting local people on plans to remove the trees, repair the footway and put in a different trees using ‘tree pits’, which will control the roots.” 8 See next week’s Clitheroe Advertis­ er and Times for full story.


© “WE have got our Castle back!” Those were the


words of Clitheroe Castle Heritage Scheme champion and former High Sheriff Peter Robinson as the first phase of the mas­ sive £3.2m. regenera­ tion was formally opened. Turn to page 5 for a


full report and picture. 8 CLITHEROE’S


paddler Jonnie Schofield took gold at the European Wild Water Championships in Bihac, Bosnia. Jonnie (22) is a


member of Team GB. Turn to page 56 for


the full story 8 ANGER has


erupted over county council plans which could mean the end of free school buses for many new’ pupils attending Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. See page 2 for story’.


©A TEENAGER


whose actions have changed the lives of a Clitheroe family nar­ rowly escaped a custo­ dial sentence and has been given one last chance by Hyndburn magistrates. See page 2 for story.


jipstairs at kipliisq^ W PIQRELL-.I M |


iQUJSOi 10-4


Bag & Luggage Promotion Starts This Bank Holiday


and Throughout June 56 King Street Clitheroe Tel: 01200 425151_______ antler


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