A STUDY has concluded that a supermarket in Station Road, Whittlesey is unlikely to be built if councillors give the go ahead to a larger store on Eastrea Road.

A STUDY has concluded that a supermarket in Station Road, Whittlesey is unlikely to be built if councillors give the go ahead to a larger store on Eastrea Road.

A new report – thought to have cost �8,000 – says a store in Station Road “is unlikely to be a viable proposition” for the top four supermarkets if Tesco or Sainsbury build in Eastrea Road.

It also states that the Station Road site’s unattractiveness to a food store operator is “further compounded by the significant impact of the level crossing on access to the site.”

The independent report, commissioned by Fenland District Council, is due to go before a specially convened meeting of the authority’s planning committee on August 29.

Harrier Developments Ltd already has permission to build a 24,500 square feet store in Station Road, with Tesco being their preferred operator.

Earlier this year Harrier Developments and Sainsbury applied to build larger stores on adjoining sites in Eastrea Road. That decision was deferred for more information to be obtained about the prospects of the Station Road site.

A retail study has already concluded that Whittlesey can only support one large food store. Tesco had earlier stated its intention to go ahead with the Station Road site if its’ plans for Eastrea Road were refused. But the report says a letter from Harrier Development’s solicitor “does not categorically state that the developer will definitely build out the Station Road site.”

The report says that taken in isolation, the Station Road development is viable but “it is unlikely that one of the top four operators would bring forward a smaller store format on Station Road if a competing operator brings forward a larger format on Eastrea Road.”

If a smaller supermarket retailer occupied only part of the Station Road unit, that would be unviable, says the report.

Sainsbury claim that the majority of people in Whittlesey support their application.

Robert Oxley, Sainsbury’s Development Executive, said: “The amount of local support for a new Sainsbury store and 59-acre country park and business area in Whittlesey has been staggering.

“It is really clear that local people recognise the extra benefits our applications will bring to the community, on top of a new supermarket.”