Retail giant Peel Holdings in Hyndburn Council court threat

12:00pm Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in Politics news Photograph of the Author By Bill Jacobs, Local government reporter

THE FIRM behind a controversial out-of-town retail development has threatened a local authority with legal action unless it drops its opposition to the plans.

Peel Holdings has told Hyndburn Council it will seek a High Court review next month if it continues to reject its bid for a planning permission to open new, larger stores at the Whitebirk Retail Park on the edge of Blackburn and Rishton.

The plans have been opposed by shopkeepers, councillors concerned at the impact it would have on Accrington and Blackburn town centres.

Last week Peel wrote to Hyndburn Council urging it to reconsider its refusal to lift existing restrictions on trading in goods such as fashion, food and footwear in a final attempt to resolve the dispute voluntarily.

But the firm warned that if this failed it would seek a Judicial Review in the High Court next month.

The firm argued that 29 smaller planning permissions taken together meant the original agreement between the company and the council was no longer valid and should be lifted despite previously failing to overturn the ban at a public inquiry.

Last week Mr Straw attacked Peel’s conduct in a special Parliamentary debate and said the firm had used planning procedures in a way that amounted to ‘calculated deceit’.

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Mr Jones said: “This is just predatory capitalism. Peel want to develop Whitebirk regardless of the effect on businesses and jobs in Blackburn and Accrington town centres.”

A spokesperson for Peel Holdings said it had the support of local residents and invested heavily in Blackburn and Hyndburn.

Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council Miles Parkinson said the authority would “vigorously defend” its decision.

Comments (11)

1:03pm Wed 23 May 12

2 for 5p says...

Good luck to peel. That's what the towns need a bit of healthy competition.
Good luck to peel. That's what the towns need a bit of healthy competition. 2 for 5p

3:23pm Wed 23 May 12

mavrick says...

Peel are a bunch of bullies and should be taken on, let them go to the high court they have lost previous attempts to override planning decisions. But I would urge the council to step back and have a meaningful discussion on the town centre in Accrington, I don't believe for one minute people want to see their town centre dissapear, We just need to rethink our strategy, we don't need consultants or TV personalities.
Peel are a bunch of bullies and should be taken on, let them go to the high court they have lost previous attempts to override planning decisions. But I would urge the council to step back and have a meaningful discussion on the town centre in Accrington, I don't believe for one minute people want to see their town centre dissapear, We just need to rethink our strategy, we don't need consultants or TV personalities. mavrick

3:46pm Wed 23 May 12

GIBUCK says...

mavrick wrote:
Peel are a bunch of bullies and should be taken on, let them go to the high court they have lost previous attempts to override planning decisions. But I would urge the council to step back and have a meaningful discussion on the town centre in Accrington, I don't believe for one minute people want to see their town centre dissapear, We just need to rethink our strategy, we don't need consultants or TV personalities.
Accrington Town shopping was lost many years ago, there is not enough choice of shops apart from which pound shop do you fancy or where do you want to sell your gold or which cheque cashing service shop would you like to use. The whitebirk site has needed cleaning up for a number of years and by withholding planning permission will only allow for it to fall into further disrepair. Why not allow the expansion and create more jobs people will shop wherever they want to and if there's nothing in Blackburn or Accrington then they will go out of the area and spend their money in other areas outside the community...........
..
[quote][p][bold]mavrick[/bold] wrote: Peel are a bunch of bullies and should be taken on, let them go to the high court they have lost previous attempts to override planning decisions. But I would urge the council to step back and have a meaningful discussion on the town centre in Accrington, I don't believe for one minute people want to see their town centre dissapear, We just need to rethink our strategy, we don't need consultants or TV personalities.[/p][/quote]Accrington Town shopping was lost many years ago, there is not enough choice of shops apart from which pound shop do you fancy or where do you want to sell your gold or which cheque cashing service shop would you like to use. The whitebirk site has needed cleaning up for a number of years and by withholding planning permission will only allow for it to fall into further disrepair. Why not allow the expansion and create more jobs people will shop wherever they want to and if there's nothing in Blackburn or Accrington then they will go out of the area and spend their money in other areas outside the community........... .. GIBUCK

4:38pm Wed 23 May 12

bow1974 says...

Good luck to peel hope they get planning permission its about time we had abit more choice were to shop theres nothing in blackburn don't know why they spent all that money on it in the first place.
Good luck to peel hope they get planning permission its about time we had abit more choice were to shop theres nothing in blackburn don't know why they spent all that money on it in the first place. bow1974

4:42pm Wed 23 May 12

Izanears says...

Peel are nothing but bullies. These big firms know that councils will be reluctant to get involved in expensive court actions because it is the taxpayer who will lose out. But I hope Hyndburn council call their bluff on this one.
Peel are nothing but bullies. These big firms know that councils will be reluctant to get involved in expensive court actions because it is the taxpayer who will lose out. But I hope Hyndburn council call their bluff on this one. Izanears

7:14pm Wed 23 May 12

sean_brfc says...

No doubt free market capitalism will win as usual and it will hinder the improvement of the town centre. Not that Peel deals in town centre shops but if firms invested as much in the old market site the town centre would be brilliant.
No doubt free market capitalism will win as usual and it will hinder the improvement of the town centre. Not that Peel deals in town centre shops but if firms invested as much in the old market site the town centre would be brilliant. sean_brfc

8:14pm Wed 23 May 12

accy lad and proud says...

That right ! Miles Away Parkinson, Miles away from reality as usual. You crack on and waste millions fighting this, our millions, instead of welcoming massive investment in Hyndburn which would create much needed employment and rate income etc to Hynburn. You Miles away are such a plant-pot ! Get with it man, one day you may be Miles Ahead !!!!!!!!!!!!!
That right ! Miles Away Parkinson, Miles away from reality as usual. You crack on and waste millions fighting this, our millions, instead of welcoming massive investment in Hyndburn which would create much needed employment and rate income etc to Hynburn. You Miles away are such a plant-pot ! Get with it man, one day you may be Miles Ahead !!!!!!!!!!!!! accy lad and proud

10:05pm Wed 23 May 12

Blackburnley says...

accy lad and proud wrote:
That right ! Miles Away Parkinson, Miles away from reality as usual. You crack on and waste millions fighting this, our millions, instead of welcoming massive investment in Hyndburn which would create much needed employment and rate income etc to Hynburn. You Miles away are such a plant-pot ! Get with it man, one day you may be Miles Ahead !!!!!!!!!!!!!
No employment is created, it is just moved from one place to another.
[quote][p][bold]accy lad and proud[/bold] wrote: That right ! Miles Away Parkinson, Miles away from reality as usual. You crack on and waste millions fighting this, our millions, instead of welcoming massive investment in Hyndburn which would create much needed employment and rate income etc to Hynburn. You Miles away are such a plant-pot ! Get with it man, one day you may be Miles Ahead !!!!!!!!!!!!![/p][/quote]No employment is created, it is just moved from one place to another. Blackburnley

5:57am Thu 24 May 12

Falconer24 says...

Accy is a dump anyway. Every shop is a pound shop or a charity shop! Cant rememer the last time i went into town for anything!
Accy is a dump anyway. Every shop is a pound shop or a charity shop! Cant rememer the last time i went into town for anything! Falconer24

10:27am Fri 25 May 12

rishtona says...

Er, haven't we heard this before? Preston's Tithebarn project if I am not wrong?!!

Protectionism and NIMBYism gone crazy - "we WILL develop our town but YOU shall not develop yours".

Morons. Costing the region millions in income through foot-fall and jobs!

Get a grip. Concentrate on your own f'in towns and let others concentrate om theirs!
Er, haven't we heard this before? Preston's Tithebarn project if I am not wrong?!! Protectionism and NIMBYism gone crazy - "we WILL develop our town but YOU shall not develop yours". Morons. Costing the region millions in income through foot-fall and jobs! Get a grip. Concentrate on your own f'in towns and let others concentrate om theirs! rishtona

8:12pm Sat 26 May 12

Tell-it-how-it-is says...

I was born in accrington and have lived the majority of my life here.

Once long ago the arndale was thriving..you had dixons, currys, erm i cant remember the other shops but in the early 90s, it was all good.

The sad truth is it is now a dump. Pound shops on every corner, empty shops, chavs adorning the benches and a booky for each member of the family. Even thorntons didnt survive (jt cosmetics defies the odds in the arndale, but for how long?)

In the age of the internet, from a consumer point of view im up for Whitebirk getting some investment. The consumer will have more choice. If something is available in town that is available at whitebirk, people would most likely not go there in the first place.

We maybe getting a new bus station, but for the rest of the town rip-you'll never be forgotten-er you were a knight in shining armour!!! Ok, getting a bit carried away now 😄
I was born in accrington and have lived the majority of my life here. Once long ago the arndale was thriving..you had dixons, currys, erm i cant remember the other shops but in the early 90s, it was all good. The sad truth is it is now a dump. Pound shops on every corner, empty shops, chavs adorning the benches and a booky for each member of the family. Even thorntons didnt survive (jt cosmetics defies the odds in the arndale, but for how long?) In the age of the internet, from a consumer point of view im up for Whitebirk getting some investment. The consumer will have more choice. If something is available in town that is available at whitebirk, people would most likely not go there in the first place. We maybe getting a new bus station, but for the rest of the town rip-you'll never be forgotten-er you were a knight in shining armour!!! Ok, getting a bit carried away now 😄 Tell-it-how-it-is

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