Controversial plans to build a Waitrose supermarket at Van Hage garden centre at Great Amwell have been revived.
The plans had been withdrawn just hours before East Herts District Council’s planning committee was due to discuss them on December 10 last year. They have now been resubmitted.
Waitrose wants to Waitrose to relocate to Van Hage Great Amwell store when its Bircherley Green shop in Hertford closes in 2016.
"These plans us the opportunity to provide an improved store in the region,” said a Waitrose spokesperson.
Bircherley Green Shopping Centre has been deemed unsuitable for future growth, despite an earmarked £40million revamp by developers Wrenbridge, which includes a supermarket twice the size of the current store.
A website promoting the Van Hage development states the new site would mark an increase of capacity from 12,500 sq ft to 25,000 sq ft.
The retail giant states: “It would not be fair to Hertford or the people the store would employ to progress a scheme which was not viable, as well as operationally challenging, and at risk of closing in the future so it is not an option we are able to consider further.
“Our aspiration has always been to retain a presence in Hertford, but only if we could find a viable opportunity for us to do so, which has not been possible at this time.”
The retailer also claimed the new site would provide it with “a modern branch” with “vastly-improved parking."
Before the withdrawal of the proposal in December, it had been recommended it for refusal.
Council planners had criticised the proposal, stating it would be an “inappropriate development” of the green belt and damage the town centres of Hertford, Ware and Hoddesdon.
But Van Hage's Chris Roberts, says: “I’m feeling quite positive about it, I think there’s a good chance it will be approved, but it depends on the planning officer and the councillors.
“We feel we have been able to address some of the issues that were fed back out. It’s a very solid application and it will be very good for the community and Van Hage.”
