Cheers as Waitrose plan is approved for Warminster (From Wiltshire Times)

Cheers as Waitrose plan is approved for Warminster

1:13pm Thursday 6th August 2009 in News By James Williams

The Dents factory in Fairfield Road

A Waitrose supermarket looks set to open up in Warminster after a developers’ plans were approved,to the delight of about 50 supporters who clapped and cheered as the decision was made.

Henry Boot Developments was granted permission last night to build a 25,274 sq ft store, which has been earmarked for Waitrose, on the site of the Dents factory in Fairfield Road, but their plan had been in jeopardy when Wiltshire Council planning officers recommended councillors reject the application.

Despite the officers’ concerns, members of Wiltshire Council’s western area planning committee on Wednesday voted through the application, which also includes a cafe, retail units and parking.

The historic glove making company was relying on the application to be approved so it can expand and move to new 30,000sq ft premises in Furnax Lane, which it has already secured planning permission for.

One supporter of the Waitrose bid was Albert Lee, who is retired and lives in The Deverills, near Warminster. He said after the meeting: “It was evident that everyone in the villages supported it. I am extremely pleased.

“It was a no-brainer. It is going to keep Dents in the town and it is going to bring a quality supermarket to Warminster."

Supporters of Henry Boots’ application held a banner at the meeting reading ‘Warminster wants Waitrose’.

During the meeting, Julian Painter from Henry Boot Developments, said: “We have Waitrose’s full approval and we are progressing through the legal niceties as we speak.

“We’ve been working on this scheme for two years and it’s fully deliverable and the funding is in place. We have also secured a site for Dents, which secures their future as one of the largest employees in the town.”

The Waitrose plan will have to be referred to the Secretary of State, but Wiltshire Council can expect a decision to be made within 28 days.

See this week's Wiltshire Times for a full report of the meeting and reaction.