Owners of one retail park have objected to a smaller retail park being created near Deepdale retail park.

Proposals for the former Perry’s Motor Village off Blackpool Road look set to be refused by councillors.

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Planning officers have recommended the scheme for a mini-supermarket, coffee shop, shop and gym are rejected.

Brookhouse Group, who run the Queen Street retail park near the city centre, have tabled their objections.

They state: “It is considered that the Horrocks Quarter site is a sequentially preferable town centre site which is suitable and available to accommodate a development of the type proposed.

“In addition, it is considered that the proposal would have a significantly adverse impact on planned investment on the Horrocks Quarter site, the regeneration of which is crucial to the delivery of the aspirations of the development plan.”

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Sitting within the St Matthews ward the proposals have the support of councillor Roy Leeming.

He has written to the planning committee stating the plans would help reduce anti-social behaviour on the site and deliver employment opportunities.

However, finance chief at the city council and Fishwick councillor Martyn Rawlinson has objected saying the former Perry’s site being developed would ‘exacerbate existing highway capacity issues on Blackpool Road and the type of development proposed is not needed in the area’.

Planning officers write in their report to councillors: “Whilst objections have been received the application would result in a number of benefits which are material considerations weighing in its favour. These relate to the economic benefits of investment in the site and the jobs which would be created, the social benefits of providing new services and amenities in an accessible location and the environmental benefits of regenerating an underused and vacant brownfield site with a prominent frontage to Blackpool Road.

“In addition, the proposal would be acceptable in traffic and highway safety, design, amenity, ground conditions, flood risk, energy efficiency and waste management terms. However, the application fails to accord with the development plan, specifically the application has failed to demonstrate compliance with the sequential and impact tests set out in the Framework.”

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The Perry’s site has been empty since February last year, when the motors showroom moved to Bluebell Way.

On Boxing Day last year a suspected arson took place on the site. Firefighters were called at 6.20am after a fire started in the roof and involved a first floor office on the site.

Councillors on the city council’s planning committee will meet on Thursday 7 September from 2.30pm at the Town Hall to consider the plans.

What do you think about the plans for the Perry’s site? Let us know in the comments below