Sainsbury’s applying pressure
It seems that in spite of understandings and conditions to that effect, Westhoughton County Cricket Club could be forced to vacate their home at the Tyldesleys in the autumn, in order to let Sainsbury’s bring forward the building of their £7.5m store.
What was meant to happen was: first, the new cricket ground at 17 acre Hoskers site is cleared and prepared; once ready and deemed ‘fit’ to use, the cricket club would vacate their Tyldesleys home and move to The Hoskers; then, the Tyldesleys site would be cleared and work on the supermarket begun. The time frame being two years – completion 2009, if things go to plan.
The impatient retailer seems to now expect the cricket club to move to temporary accommodation whilst their new home is prepared and build. Those that know the Hoskers site will appreciate that this is not going to be a quick or easy task.
To add insult to injury, Sainsbury’s, bemoaning the economic climate, seem to want to renegotiate the deal done with Westhoughton Cricket Club, meaning they will have less money to spend on the new ground and facilities, and that they could soon face financial difficulties.
This pressure, whilst being contrary to agreements and conditions laid down in the planning application, could actually jeopardise the future and status of this historic cricket club, which could even be thrown out of the league if the ground and facilities are not up to scratch. It seems that the pursuit of profit and retail dominance is more important than the local community and its history. Sources say that the Cricket Club are unhappy about the bullying and are considering their position.
In a planning decision that knowledgeable observers have seen as full of holes, devoid of any insistence of a robust business plan that would ensure the Cricket Club could make the transition, and economical in its presentation of the facts, Westhoughton will become yet another small town to see a big four retailer playing hard and fast with local sentiment and sensibilities.
A Westhoughton issue decided by mostly non-Westhoughton representatives, with little knowledge or real interest in the town. No debate. Ignored: traffic concerns; loss of recreational land; local public opposition (2 petitions, 800 objectors); the Town Councillors' 'no' vote; affect on Town Centre traders... Misinformation and disinformation not questioned. A Sainsbury's consultation taken at face value.
The green tokenism of wind turbines that will take a generation to pay for themselves, is further damaged by the fact that the retail goliath now wishes to chop down trees along Cricketers Way because they would ‘spoil the view’ to the store.
Many Westhoughtoners are angry at the release of a protective covenant on recreational land; fury compounded by the fact that the £1m to be paid to Bolton Council will not necessarily benefit Westhoughton.
Related news items
Call for cricket club safeguards (Bolton News 11/7/08).
Westhoughton Mayor and Bolton Councillor, David Chadwick, who represents Westhoughton South, seeks assurances from the Council's Planning Department that the club is playing at its new home before any building work starts on the new supermarket…
Council: no U-turn! (Bolton News 13/5/08)
£1m Covenant Anger (Bolton News 9/5/08).
Council's £1m Deal (Bolton News 5/5/08).
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