South Wales Evening Post - 13 September 2006
Controversial plans to build a new £20 million Asda supermarket in Gorseinon should be decided by a public inquiry, according to two senior local politicians. Gower MP Martin Caton and the area's AM Edwina Hart have joined forces to ask the Assembly to take the planning decision for the new store out of the hands of Swansea Council.
The pair claim only an independent review can properly weigh up the arguments for and against the development.
The US-owned retail giant has submitted plans to build the new 30,000 sq ft superstore on land between Heol y Mynydd and Cecil Road.
The application has split public opinion in the community amid concerns over its impact on local businesses and extra traffic in the town centre.
More than 5,000 people have signed a petition opposing the scheme, but many residents feel the store would be a boost to the local community.
Now the MP and the AM have written to the Assembly's planning minister Carwyn Jones asking him to call in the planning decision and to appoint an inspector to decide the future of the project.
Ms Hart said: "We have to remember that Swansea Council owns the land in question and stands to make millions by leasing it to Asda, if this application gets approval.
"Local people are very worried this will influence their judgement if this decision is left to councillors.
"We want to see this application considered objectively and fairly with all relevant issues properly taken into account.
"We believe that can best be achieved by going straight to public inquiry."
Mr Caton added: "We believe there is no need for this proposed Asda store and that it poses an enormous risk to the future viability of the existing High Street district shopping centre."
