Plans to build a new large scale M&S food store at Norcross have been given the official green light after a final agreement was reached with developers.
In October, applicants LondonMetric Retail received planning permission from Wyre Council to construct a 21,500 sq ft retail unit. off Norcross Lane.
Marks and Spencer proposed to effectively replace the existing and much smaller store on Victoria Road West in Cleveleys town centre, where the lease expires in 2026.
The scheme is expected to bring 50 new jobs.
However, the planning permission granted on October 2 for a food store was not quite so straightforward.
It was agreed to grant full planning permission but under the recommendations from the planning officer that it be subject to conditions and a S106 legal agreement to secure financial contributions from the applicants towards Travel Planning and to appropriately secure Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
BNG means developments must leave nature in a measurably better state than before, typically by delivering at least a 10% improvement in wildlife habitats through creating, enhancing, or restoring them, ensuring nature recovers rather than declines alongside new construction.
It’s a legal requirement in England, requiring developers to use metrics to show habitats are extended or improved, often on-site or through off-site habitat banks, for a minimum of 30 year
In the event that a satisfactory Section 106 agreement was not concluded by December 23, it was agreed to delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Planning and Building Control to refuse planning permission on the grounds that the obligations which make the development acceptable have not been legally secured.
However, planners have now agreed that the Section 106 agreement has been concluded satisfactorily, and Wyre council has published a decision notice approving the plans, with more than 30 planning conditions attached.
Meanwhile, no timeline has yet been given on the expected closure of the Cleveleys store, other than it being expected to close next year.
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