Council rejects Sainsbury’s store scheme
NEWMARKET JOURNAL JAN 2011. MICK SMITH RIGHT, WITH PETITION AGAINST SAINSBURYS BUILDING ON GEORGE LAMBTONS PLAYING FIELD, WITH IAN BEDFORD, CAROLINE CUBITT, KAREN DOUCE, MICK SMITH, DICK AND LINDA LONGMAN.
TOWN councillors have rejected plans for a new Sainsbury’s store in Newmarket.
They recommended refusal of the plan despite pleas from teachers and pupils at the town’s college that it represented a ‘once-in-a-decade opportunity’ to provide improved sports facilities and a sixth form centre at the school.
Meeting on Monday, councillors considered two applications – one to build a new Sainsbury’s store on the George Lambton playing fields in Fordham Road and the other to provide new pitches at the Newmarket College playing field in Rowley Drive as part replacement for the lost facilities in Fordham Road.
Bob Cadwalladr, principal of Newmarket College, said the proposal for the school playing field was an opportunity which was “not likely to come again in this current time of financial uncertainty”.
He continued: “It is a once-in-a-decade opportunity.
“It is something we should grasp with both hands because it will bring enhanced high-quality sporting facilities for the young people in the town through the school and through community sport.”
But Cllr Rachel Hood said although all councillors were keen that the school should have good sports facilities, it was Suffolk County Council’s responsibility to provide them, not Sainbury’s.
William Gittus, speaking on behalf of Newmarket’s Horsemen’s Group, said it was opposed to the Sainsbury’s development.
“We would very much support the idea of improving the sports facilities but at what cost? We don’t think our concerns about increased traffic have been met.”
Studlands Park councillor Christine Pearce said: “If we lose the George Lambton playing fields where are the residents of Studlands Park going to go for open space? We would be cutting them off.”
But Cllr Mick Jefferys said: “If we want this town to be a vibrant town we can’t ignore development.”
Meanwhile, Newmarket residents fighting the Sainsbury’s proposal have launched a petition opposing the loss of green space at the George Lambton playing fields.
Mick Smith, of Freshfields, said “I couldn’t just let this go without making a stand. I think 99 per cent of the people I speak to agree that it’s not right.
“I am over 40 years old and I have used the playing fields as leisure land all my life. It has been a part of a lot of people’s lives. We are really pleased that the council has rejected it.”
To sign the petition online, visit www.gopetition.co.uk and search ‘Newmarket’. The petition is called ‘No to Sainsbury’s taking over all Newmarket’s green leisure land’.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Newmarket
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.