Second scheme for Leighton Buzzard retail park is also approved

Councillors voted through an application from EDS Holdings for the Camden site, off Grovebury Road, after earlier today backing a retail park from Claymore for Grovebury Road.

On the Camden site there are currently warehouses and commercial/industrial buildings in poor condition providing about 10 jobs, whereas EDS says its proposal would create 70.

EDS’s outline application brings six non-food retail units totalling 6,227sq metres, and five trade counter/motorist centre units totalling 1,121sq metres.

The application, which includes 324 parking spaces, states that the latter units would be “likely to accommodate” clients such as Screwfix, Tile Giant, Plumb Center, car mechanics, tyre fitters and associated workshops.

The town council opposed the EDS proposal, feeling the loss of employment land was unacceptable and feared the Land South of High Street development would be put in jeopardy by the retail park.

But CBC councillors backed their planning officers’ recommendation to support the retail park. They voted 9-3, with one abstention.

The EDS scheme will still have to be given the all-clear by the Secretary of State due to the out of town location.

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