Realty hopeful of food store consent

Manchester-based Realty Estates has submitted a planning application for a supermarket in Atherton, Wigan.

Realty plans a 112,000 sq ft store on stilts over parking for more than 600 cars, plus a petrol station on the site of the existing Howe Bridge Mill, Gloucester Street, Atherton.

Transport experts Singleton Clamp & Partners have been advising Realty. Jim Budd, director of SCP, said: "We have tested the impact of the proposals on the local highway network and will be addressing any issues raised by the highway authority and local residents throughout the consultation period to ensure that the scheme is taken to planning committee without any material highway objections."

Shahram Sakhdari of Realty Estates added: "This application represents a great opportunity for Atherton to improve the food retail offer in the town. It also allows for a building that has never proved very popular with residents and has been difficult to keep fully let to be replaced with a purpose-built food retail unit designed to the highest standards."