Waitrose could still build store in Leamington

The upmarket chain had warned extra competition could be an obstacle for its plans to open a store on the Leamington fire station site in Warwick Street and to build a new station off Queensway.

But following a decision last week to grant permission to build the Morrisons on the derelict Ford Foundry site, Waitrose has said this week it is still considering its options.

A company spokeswomen said: “We still believe that our proposal would be beneficial to Leamington Spa.

“We are continuing to work on our plans and are reviewing the implications of the decision.”

A war of words broke out in May between the prospective developers of both supermarkets when Waitrose and Deeley Properties objected to Trilogy Development’s plans to build the Morrisons.

Pat Moroney, director for Deeley, said: “There are a limited number of suitable sites for supermarket-sized food stores.

“We have commented on the Ford site because we do not believe it is suitable for a large-scale food store as is proposed.”

Trilogy’s managing director Patrick Stones accused Deeley and Waitrose of seeking to “derail” the Morrisons proposal and to maximise their bid for the fire station.

Mr Stones added: “From my experience this will be a controversial matter, which will take time and attract significant interest from the nearby local population, not to mention the multi-million pound cost.”

Deeley has said the benefits of the Waitrose would include 180 new jobs, multi-milion pound investment in Leamington, improved parking in the town centre and a quality store which will enhance the surrounding area.

Trilogy’s plans also include a 120-bedroom hotel, an office complex and light industrial units.

The developer has stated that more than 1,000 jobs in various different sectors will be created by the project.

Conditions attached to the planning approval require Trilogy to provide several services including a £50,000 bus and rail interchange at Leamington station and £300,000 to cover alterations to the X17 bus service, which will stop at the Morrisons every 15 minutes. Work to decontaminate the Ford site will begin soon before development begins.