Fears over the potential for ‘absolutely horrendous’ traffic issues and safety concerns caused councillors to put plans for a £14 million supermarket site on hold.
Commercial Development Projects Ltd wants to build South Holland Retail Park, which would include a new supermarket and Costa Coffee, on land opposite McDonald’s, off the A151 roundabout in Spalding.
However, after a long debate at South Holland District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (September 23), members opted to defer a decision and will ask the developer to look again at the entry and exit to the A151, which is a short distance from the A16 roundabout.
Members feared the proposal could increase the risk of accidents and congestion, as traffic would wait to turn right into the site shortly after leaving the roundabout.
Coun Paul Barnes said: “That would be absolutely horrendous to try and get across the traffic there and you’ll be backing up onto the roundabout.”
All traffic would leave the site onto the A151 would have to turn left and go to the roundabout.
As well as entering via a right turn off the A151, motorists could enter via a separate ‘left in only’ junction from the A16.
The council said it had received 23 letters from the public about the application.
These raised concerns about road safety, drainage and the scale of development while reasons for support included creation of jobs, Spalding needing a high quality supermarket and the development being in a ‘good location’.
Committee chairman James Avery was also concerned by the proposed exit and worries people will ignore the rules if they want to travel eastwards.
He said the A16/A151 roundabout is ‘the busiest part of Spalding’ adding: “I can see issues with the exit on that location, given its proximity to the roundabout.
“But I can also see that motorists would get exasperated and will turn right out of the site. There’s absolutely no doubt about it.”
Coun Andrew Woolf agreed that the area around the roundabout is a concern.
He said: “I would consider it already dangerous, even with the McDonald’s.”
Developers first outlined the project in June last year and the identity of the supermarket has still not been revealed.
A retail assessment also found that the scheme would not have a ‘significant’ impact on Spalding town centre.
Councillors also want the applicant to provide clarity on the statement and give an immediate impact upon the adjacent bungalow.
The development promises 98 jobs and includes 185 parking spaces and electric vehicle charging stations.
