A PROPOSED TK Maxx store in Northwich is in doubt due to planning policies aimed at protecting town centres.

Bloc Limited applied to Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) last December for permission to demolish the vacant J&S Motorcycle Clothing and Accessories store to make way for a new unit.

The site is located on the corner of London Road and Chester Way, adjoining Waitrose.

A decision on the proposals has not yet been made but the application has now been referred to CWAC’s full planning committee due to the public interest.

The policy within the adopted Local Plan that threatens to scupper the application is ECON 2, ‘Town Centres – Retail, Leisure and Other Town Centre Uses’.

The policy emphasises that ‘the first priority for retail and leisure investment (in Northwich) is the Barons Quay scheme’.

It says retail and leisure developments that ‘would jeopardise the comprehensive delivery of this critical scheme, necessary to secure the long-term vitality and viability of the town centre, will not be allowed’.

Cllr Dolan, CWAC ward members for Winnington and Castle, said both sides must now come up with an ‘amicable solution’.

He said: “There are planning regulations, processes, procedures, and originally the idea was to bring development in the town centre.

“I understand the rationale for that. We just want an amicable solution and try to find a way forward and show the positive impact TK Maxx will have on the town centre.

“As well as the employment they will bring, they are a retail leader. If they come others will follow.”

Last month, Paul Doughty, UK acquisitions manager for Bloc Limited, sent a letter CWAC’s planning department explaining why TK Maxx decided against moving into Barons Quay.

Mr Doughty said: “We have looked at sites within the town centre as well as opportunities on retail parks in both the edge and out of centre locations.

“Most recently we have considered opportunities within the Barons Quay development.

“In respect to Barons Quay, we have undertaken a comprehensive assessment of the development as a whole and considered multiple options in terms of potential units.

“None of the opportunities that have been presented to us would meet the requirements of our established business model in terms of scale, format, accessibility and commerciality.”

Mr Doughty said TK Maxx had concluded the Barons Quay development is ‘not suitable despite the preferential commercial terms that have been offered’.

He said: “We expect Barons Quay to be a successful addition to the town’s offer but it is not a location that TK Maxx would be able to commit to in respect of a long-term commercial lease.”

Cllr Dolan and fellow CWAC ward member for Winnington and Castle Cllr Sam Naylor will both speak in support of the application at the full planning committee meeting on June 6.

Cllr Naylor said: “I am pleading with TK Maxx or the people representing them to make sure they have gone through all of the planning process.

“They have to satisfy the planning authority that it is the best location for TK Maxx.”

Timothy Price, an agent working on behalf of TK Maxx, said: “We understand the application has been referred to the planning committee.

“The reason is due to support from local ward members to deliver a national retailer in Northwich.”