BROUGHTON RETAIL PARK’S “GREEN LIGHT” SHOULD CARRY

CEIDWADWYR CYMREIG

Mark Isherwood AM

Assembly Member for North Wales

28 April 2006

RETAIL PARK’S “GREEN LIGHT” SHOULD CARRY

AN AMBER WARNING

“The decision by Flintshire County Councillors to expand Broughton Retail Park risks unacceptable damage to the sustainability of local town centres” said Mark Isherwood, Welsh Conservative Assembly Member for North Wales.

Consultants, Martin Tonks Planning, commissioned by the local authority to review proposals to increase Broughton Retail Park, say development will divert trade from other towns and shops.

Mark added:

“Rather than a green light for developers, this is an amber warning for neighbouring towns where trade could be severely hit.”

This would have a disproportionate impact on older people, lower income households and the disabled, reliant upon local shops for goods, services and a social network.

We are told that up to 1000 jobs could be created, but how many jobs will have to be lost in local businesses, retailers and suppliers to make this happen?

This can only have an adverse impact on transport and car use, just as Flintshire is proposing cuts to bus services and at a time when cuts in greenhouse gases and air pollution are a priority.

Broughton is already saturated and congested with massive and unsustainable developments. New slip roads will not address concerns about increased traffic throughout the surrounding area expressed by Town Councils and local businesses.

Where is evidence of compliance with the Habitats Directive, required prior to planning permission being granted?

Instead of Ghost Town Britain, we must use policy and planning to support and restore sustainable local communities, local economies, local products and services before they become a distant memory.

Flintshire needs an accountable County Council that listens more, talks less, spends better and starts putting the people of Flintshire first.”