Press Release 10th Dec 2009

[Tim Swann]

From the Newcastle Emlyn Action Group
----------------------------------------------------------

Press Release

Newcastle Emlyn objects again to supermarket plan.
10th December 2009

Shoppers in Newcastle Emlyn turned out again on Friday to show their
opposition to the proposal to build a supermarket on the Cawdor Garage
site. The first proposal, in March this year, was rejected by the
people, the town council and the county Planning Committee. But it
has now been resubmitted, virtually unchanged. So on Friday the
Newcastle Emlyn Action Group once more put out stalls on the streets
and the people flocked to sign letters of objection: 263 in just one
morning.

Many people were incredulous that they had to sign new letters, saying
“There have already been over 500 letters against this supermarket,
why do we have to do it all again?” Good question. According to the
Action Group, which includes leading members of the town Chamber of
Commerce, the Retail Impact Assessment that accompanies the
application still has the same incorrect figures, grossly
underestimating the impact the development would have on the high
street shops and the whole local economy. The Transport Assessment
still does not take into account the congested local roads and Teifi
Bridge. So what has changed?

There was also anger that the application has been put in just before
Christmas, with a deadline for comments of just 6th January 2010.

More letters are now in shops in the town for people to sign, and the
Action Group plans further days with stalls on the street. "How many
letters of protest will it take to reject this proposal?" they ask.

For more information and to join the Action Group, go to:
http://groups.google.com/group/nceactiongroup

If you are a journalist seeking more information please contact
Tim Swann tel. 01994 484358 or
Richard Vale tel. 01239 711653

Published by the Newcastle Emlyn Action Group

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note to Editor. Specific reasons for objection to the proposal
include:

· The retail impact assessment is seriously flawed in that it
grossly underestimates current trading levels of existing businesses
within the town and its catchment area, and over-estimates the amount
of spend going to other centres, with the result that a new
supermarket would have a highly detrimental effect on existing
businesses, leading to shop closures and job losses.

· The transport assessment is also flawed in that it does not
take into account the impact that additional traffic volumes would
have on the road network which is already frequently badly congested.
Moreover road safety for the many children who go to school on foot
may well be compromised.

· A large national retailer opening in Newcastle Emlyn would
also distort the local economy and thereby cause damage to the Welsh
language by destroying existing businesses and removing new business
opportunities for young people. It would also undermine the growing
trend towards sustainability and reliance on local food and services
within the catchment area.

· The application fails to respond to public concerns about the
impact a supermarket would have on the environment, with additional
air, noise and light pollution in a built-up area on the edge of a
Site of Special Scientific Interest.

[Jeremy Clulow]

Hi Tim,

Did you intend to attach a report from Barry?

Cheers,

Jeremy