Mixed views about supermarket plans
Blakeridge Mills, Batley
A PROPOSAL for a new supermarket in Batley town centre has drawn mixed reactions from residents.
Binks Development Ltd hosted a four-hour public consultation at Blakeridge Mills last Wednesday to present plans to build a supermarket and petrol station alongside residential developments at its Mayman Lane site.
Land in the mill yard, next to Cemetery Road, would be used to build the new supermarket, with an entrance on Blakeridge Lane.
While some welcomed new development and the potential for job creation, others raised concerns about traffic and the effect another supermarket would have on town centre trade.
Batley resident Richard Martin said: “It’s lovely to see the land being developed and plans for the supermarket. The worrying aspect about that is taking business away from the town centre. Does Batley need another supermarket?”
Jackie Fenton-Elliot, of Blakeridge Lane, said she was concerned about more traffic in the area but was pleased to see the land being developed.
“The mill is a wonderful building with a wonderful history and this is a way of preserving it,” she said.
Pat Crisp, of Cross Bank Road, said Batley had enough supermarkets.
“I’m not very happy about a supermarket,” she said.
“I think we have got enough here and they are going to take more business off the main street. It could be put to different use.”
Carol Darbyshire, also of Cross Bank Road, was also concerned about increased traffic and the effect on local businesses.
“We’re just losing small businesses. We have an arcade in Batley that’s been empty for 30 years,” she said.
However the Batley Drop-In manager welcomed the economic benefits of developing the Mayman Lane site.
She said: “A supermarket would bring jobs. Money they would get from the land would mean they could continue to develop the rest of this complex, which would mean jobs and more workers. So there is a positive side to it.”
Richard Binks, of Binks Development Ltd, said there was a need for competition and said the supermarket would help link shoppers to the town centre.
“We think people will shop here then go into the town centre, so the town as well as the supermarket gets the benefit.”
A planning application is expected to be submitted shortly.
Further details including the size of the store and the number of potential jobs are yet to be revealed.
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Weather for Batley
Saturday 25 May 2013
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Temperature: 6 C to 16 C
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