Newquay based developers Walker Developments, who are hoping to build an out of town superstore at Loggans Moor, just off the A30 roundabout, have written to ING to ask them to drop plans for a food store at Hayle Harbour.
In the letter Walker Developments asked ING, to agree to withdraw plans for a food store on land at South Quay and remove the scheme from the planning process.
In return Walkers would purchase the allotted land on South Quay off ING - but only if their out of town application is successful.
Additionally Walkers have asked that ING do not bring forward any further food store proposal on any other part of the Harbour.
The ING redevelopment plans were recently unveiled at the White Hart Hotel in Hayle. The plans for South Quay will finally kick start the regeneration of Hayle Harbour, which could begin as early as Autumn 2011.
The mixed-use scheme for South Quay includes approximately 90 residential units, a cinema, a new landmark restaurant and a food store.
The monies received by ING from the food store operator will be ploughed back into the scheme and will help to cover the massive harbour infrastructure costs. These costs will not be covered by public subsidy or the residential house building market, which is still extremely suppressed.
Walkers have indicated that if they are successful in achieving consent and acquire part of South Quay they will make the land available to Hayle Town Council.
Out of Town Food stores such as the type proposed by Walkers at Loggans are rarely approved. Many were approved in the 80s and 90s but policy has turned against them.
Today Government policy favours town centre store locations, hence the reason why Walkers are prepared to pay such a large amount of money to lockout ING.
"We believe the idea is pie in the sky - No matter what offer was made - it is unlikely that the Secretary of State and the Government Office would ignore the fact that a food store could be built in the town to approve one out of town at Loggans".
"The whole harbour regeneration needs the South Quay scheme to generate momentum and investment – clearly Walkers only have to concern themselves with trying to get permission for a food store on the A30 roundabout to service West Cornwall and have only that in mind".
"They are not prepared to risk anything until they receive a consent which may never happen".
"ING is currently in the process of transferring specific parts of the harbour to public ownership with no strings attached. The Company has been working with the Harbour Trust to identify how this will happen".
Ultimately a decision on whether a large food store at Loggans Roundabout is good for Hayle will rest with the Local Planning Authority, Government Office, The Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State. Therefore any “side deal” offered by Walkers will carry little weight in Westminster.
