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Decision made at last on Epworth supermarket and health centre plans

North Lincolnshire Council‘s planning committee has at last decided on plans for a supermarket and health centre in Epworth.

The application, proposed by Jonathan Millea, Millea Land (Epworth) Ltd and Camstead Ltd, involves Epworth garden centre’s existing site, off Belton Road / A161. It proposed a two-storey health centre, the supermarket, a small outdoor education area, and demolition and replacement of the garden centre.

The application has had more than 130 comments, 55 per cent in favour. Councillors gave it conditional approval on a near-unanimous vote, after a previous site visit deferral.

Jonathan Millea, of Millea Land, commented: “Gaining approval for this major development in Epworth is the culmination of over four years of hard work and listening to the community. We are very excited to deliver the development, and we will look to get onsite as soon as possible.

“These plans will bring many huge benefits to the town and area, including new jobs, better medical facilities and better shopping choice.”

It is estimated the site’s completion will deliver about 100 jobs, including 50 linked to the supermarket and 46 with the health centre. South Axholme Practice will be based out of the centre. The current garden centre dates back to 1978. It has been under the control of the Holmes family for over 60 years.

Traffic, business impact, and development limits

Colin Parker said councillors needed to satisfy themselves the build would not dwarf the surroundings.

The likes of the Co-op, greengrocer’s and butchers “will all suffer severely” because of the supermarket, he warned. He referred to a previous 2007-’10 scheme for a new health centre, and suggested its reconsideration.

“I think you were able to witness how narrow and perilous the eastern side of Belton Road is for pedestrians,” said Joy Moore of councillors’ site visit. The path between the garden centre and the A161 crossroads with the High Street, is at points less than a metre wide. She argued a proposed pedestrian crossing would be “too far north of the site to be of value”.

“By speaking out, I will be able to sleep with a clear conscience if an accident occurs.” She also re-emphasised part of the development was outside of town development limits and on heritage land. “It’s easy to nibble away at this heritage land but when it’s gone, it’s gone,” said Martin Whittaker.



The entrance to Epworth Garden Centre, from Belton Road - the conditionally approved plans would see a replacement garden centre, as well as a medical practice and a supermarket
The entrance to Epworth Garden Centre, from Belton Road – the conditionally approved plans would see a replacement garden centre, as well as a medical practice and a supermarket

Current Epworth Surgery ‘old and worn’

The local NHS has supported the scheme. South Axholme Practice’s current Epworth High Street surgery has limited parking and only seven clinical rooms.

Erica Ellerington, NHS North Yorkshire and Humber Integrated Care Board (ICB)’s assistant director of primary care, told councillors: “It’s old, it’s worn, there’s no scope to extend, we can’t go up, we can’t go out.” A 14 per cent increase in the area’s patients by 2032 was forecast.

Applicant Mr Millea added there would be a minimum 30-year lease on the health centre building. On town business impact, he said: “Epworth town centre has already seen a decline, with more and more cafés, takeaways and charity shops taking up empty spaces.” He argued it would attract people to the town, with a new garden centre and the supermarket.

A planning agent stated the area proposed outside of development limits is specifically for green space. The applicants’ highways consultant, Andrew Moseley, said at its worst Saturday lunch time peak, there would be an estimated 71 new trips added to the road network in Epworth. A zebra crossing was also proposed for Belton Road.

Cllr Tim Mitchell (Axholme Central Ward) felt the crossing would be too far away. “If it involves a significant detour to use, it won’t be betterment,” he said, but rather a “waste of money”.

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Cllr David Robinson (Axholme Central) called for a thorough highways impact consideration. “Assuming a garden centre today makes the same impact as a medical centre and supermarket in the future makes no sense at all.”

Committee members favoured the plans, but with conditions. Cllr Carol Ross requested developer cash to improve a public right of way from the site to the town centre, turn it into a hard surface. She also asked council highways to look at shifting a bus stop opposite the garden centre entrance to create a closer pedestrian crossing.

Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe