Doubt over new £60m garden centre and retail complex
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The future of a new £60 million outlet mall and garden centre at Ashchurch near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, is in doubt after planning officials recommended local councillors turn down the development.
Plans for the development, which could create 1,000 jobs, will be discussed at next week’s Tewkesbury Borough Council planning committee and councillors are being urged to reject the proposals on the grounds of protecting the town centre.
A report by planning officers stated: “The main issues in this case are the impact of the proposals on the vitality and viability of nearby centres, including Tewkesbury town centre.
The developer Robert Hitchins has sent a letter to borough councillors saying that argument is "flawed".
It said: "There is absolutely no doubt that a factory outlet, attracting thousands of visitors per year and providing a shuttle link to the town centre, would increase footfall in Tewkesbury town centre, not reduce it.”
Proposals for the development off the A46 near Junction 9 of the M5 were first put forward in 2013.
The application will be considered at the planning committee's meeting on Tuesday.
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