A £7 million project by giant DIY chain, Focus, to open a new store in Ely has been blocked by planners. They threw out the scheme of Lisle Lane which would have created 40 new jobs, claiming they were not convinced out-of-town retailing would not harm th
A £7 million project by giant DIY chain, Focus, to open a new store in Ely has been blocked by planners.
They threw out the scheme of Lisle Lane which would have created 40 new jobs, claiming they were not convinced out-of-town retailing would not harm the vitality and viability of the centre.
Planners gave the same reason for rejecting a new Lidl supermarket opposite Tesco at Angel Drove recently.
"The council considered that insufficient evidence was provided to prove that all possible sites closer to the city centre had been assessed," said David Archer, development director at East Cambridgeshire District Council, commenting on the Focus DIY project.
"The council carefully considered Focus DIY's case but remained unconvinced that out-of-town retailing would not harm the vitality and viability of the centre.
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