Horsefair Shopping Centre car park, in Wisbech, could be demolished if the owner chooses to go ahead. (Image: Google Maps) Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest breaking news and daily roundups More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you.
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This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice The demolition of a busy Cambridgeshire car park has rumbled local councillors, who have been told that they have no power to intervene with the drastic plans despite their concerns. The owners of Horsefair Shopping Centre in Wisbech have announced plans to remove the 360-space multi-storey car park to make way for a new supermarket.
Fenland District Council have since confirmed that the demolition would not need formal planning permission and could be carried out under 'permitted development rights'. A council spokesperson said that the authority can only consider the details of the demolition plans rather than whether it should grant approval for the demolition at all. This means there are no measures local councillors can take to completely block or oppose the loss of the privately owned car park.
Cllr Dee Laws, Fenland District Council's portfolio holder for planning, said: "Demolition of this type of building is permitted in planning law, so the council only has limited powers available when considering this matter. READ MORE: The seaside town popular with Cambs visitors named one of the worst in the UK READ MORE: Business blocked from keeping ‘giant tipi tents’ to host weddings and other events "We can only consider how the building will be demolished and the proposed restoration of the site afterwards to ensure the local amenity is not adversely affected. "We are in discussions with the owners, NewRiver Retail, to ascertain their future plans for the site.
Any future redevelopment will be subject to the usual planning application process." The initial application submitted my NewRiver focuses solely on the building's demolition, but explains that it wants to build a 'foodstore' on the site afterwards. At this time, further details on the plans for redevelopment are unknown until NewRiver share their plans or submits an application to the council.
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