Supermarket plans given the green light

Uncertainty surrounded the application after Netto, which had shown an interest in opening a store, recently announced it would be closing its remaining outlets around the UK.

But parish councillors are hoping that another supermarket chain will step in.

This was backed by Mansfield District Council’s planning committee on Monday night who unanimously voted to approve the plans on land between Burns Lane and Church Street.

As part of the plans, it was agreed that the old Strand bingo hall on Church Street be fully demolished, a move backed by thousands of residents who signed petitions to have it bulldozed.

Councillor Andy Wetton, who sits on both Warsop Parish Council and the district council’s planning committee said: “This has been quite a while coming to the planning committee and we’ve been concerned about the demise of Netto, planning permission will be a positive message and might help attract another food retailer to Warsop.”

Referring to the Strand building, he added: “What this will be replacing will smarten the area rather than detract from it.

“It’s far more advantageous than leaving an old rotten, crumbling building.”

A previous application suggested leaving the front part of the Strand building, but that proved unpopular among both residents and parish councillors.

Planning committee member, Councillor Martin Wright said: “The loss of the facade of the Strand is a price worth paying.

“Everybody in Warsop wants a food store.”

The plan is for a 795 sq metre food outlet with 66 parking spaces.

The entrance would be from Burns Lane, but a walkway would be created from Church Lane, where the Strand currently stands.

The decision to get rid of the Strand went against the advice of Historic England, claiming it would harm the conservation area.

The principal conservation and heritage officer at Mansfield District Council described it as a ‘striking local landmark’, however, the planning officers recommended the plans for approval.