Keep Llangollen Special (KLS), which
opposes the foodstore being built on the site of the Dobson & Crowther
envelope factory off the A5, was left bitterly disappointed by Denbighshire
planning committee’s decision to back the plan and a related application to build
a replacement factory for Dobson & Crowther – the town’s largest employer –
on open land at nearby Cilmedw Farm.
KLS had pinned its hopes on the Welsh
Government “calling in” the two applications for a public inquiry to be held
into them.
But the group learned on Thursday this was
not now likely to be the case.
KLS chair Mike Edwards said: “We are now
looking at a judicial review through a prominent organisation because both
Denbighshire County Council (DCC) and the Welsh Government (WG) have ignored
their own policies.
“The report prepared for DCC by consultants Roger
Tym & Partners is fatally flawed in that it, amongst other things, fails to
assess the impact of the opening of
Tesco in Cefn Mawr earlier this year and the opening of Stan's in late February.
“We
are therefore exploring legal challenges.”
Mr
Edwards added: “If our remaining course
of actions fail we will only be left with the knowledge that ‘we told you so’
when Llangollen has lost its butchers, greengrocers, delis and cafes and has
empty shops along Castle Street and becomes a clone town like others in the UK.
“This
is no consolation to us, but no doubt the electorate will remember this at the
next elections for Denbighshire councillors and Senedd members.
“We
would like to place on record our thanks to Councillor Rhys Hughes for his
attempts to have the applications refused.
“Denbighshire
councillors failed to support the local member, which is normal in these
circumstances."
* Mike Edwards, chair of KLS.
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