Sainsbury’s has launched a High Court appeal against Wolverhampton City Council’s decision to force it to sell off land to bitter rivals Tesco.
Council planning chiefs named Tesco as the preferred developer to create a multi-million scheme at Raglan Street, despite Sainsbury’s owning more than 70 per cent of the site. Councillors want to make the store giant the subject of a compulsory purchase order (CPO), forcing it transfer its chunk of ownership of the prime site in Graiseley to its main competitors.
It is believed Tesco’s vow to transform the derelict Royal Hospital site with a housing development helped it clinch the deal.
But, after weeks spent by solicitors scouring over the details, Sainsbury’s bosses have come out fighting, claiming the decision was legally flawed.
They have now lodged an appeal with the High Court seeking permission for a judicial review of the council’s decision.
After already rumbling on for a decade as one of the city’s longest ever planning wrangles, the appeal could see the much-anticipated development of the run-down site put on the back burner for years to come.
A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said today: “A CPO allows councils to buy land against the wishes of the landowner. These powers are often used in support of regeneration proposals.
“In this particular case, the council wants to acquire Sainsbury’s land in order to allow Tesco to build a new store and fund the redevelopment of another of its sites in Wolverhampton.
“As the majority landowner, Sainsbury’s firmly believes that this is an unlawful use of the Council’s powers.
“Sainsbury’s is committed to delivering its own scheme for the redevelopment of the Raglan Street site, for which the Council has resolved to grant planning permission.”
The application has crushed council hopes that the two supermarket giants could reach an amicable agreement before a meeting in June, when the resolution for the CPO is scheduled to be passed.
5 Comments
Wish they would sort this mess out and get on with the building works.
We already have a Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s, Asda and Somerfield but we do not have a Tesco superstore (nearest is in Dudley) and so in terms of consumer choice, Tesco’s would be my preferred option.
However if they cannot agree, maybe the council should invite other industries to suggest alternative uses for the Raglan & Royal Hospital sites and complete a CPO and give it to them instead.
Other uses could include, leisure, retail, Industrial (not my preferred) or even a new green space. (Something that the Raglan area of the town would probably appreciate).
i would not shop at sainsburys any way so i wish they go away
The logical decision was to permit both Tesco and Sainsbury to develope their respective sites and let competition decide who won.
I suspect this would have resulted in a major improvement to the economy of the City. The chosen option, as usual in Wton, is a bad option made worse.
Please build a Tesco - its far cheaper!!