A change in plans for the new Newport retail park has been approved — giving a green light to McDonald’s and Costa Coffee drive-thrus.
Plans for St George’s Retail Park have been on the table for years now with Newport Football Club booted out of its once home ground on St George’s Way — after the promise of a new stadium in Whippingham — to make way for the stores.
Originally, Isle of Wight Council approval was given for South Coast Leisure to build the retail park in October 2019, with a number of stipulations attached, but in April last year, plans were unveiled for a smaller retail complex.
It would see two of the shops removed, shrinking the overall retail floor space, the inclusion of the Costa Coffee drive-thru and a change in the layout of one unit.
Planning documents submitted last year said all but one store had tenants lined up — including a national chain of garden centres who focus on homeware and DIY, a discount food store and a 24-hour commercial gym.
The revised plans have now been approved by the Isle of Wight Council.
Asda, who would be next door to the new retail park, had objected to the plans in 2019 and again in 2021.
The retail giant even went so far as challenging the Isle of Wight Council, by way of judicial review, over its decision to approve the park but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Sports England also initially raised an objection, over the loss of the football pitch, but following sight of the legal agreement, securing its replacement on an alternative site, withdrew its comments.
Through negotiations with South Coast Leisure, the Isle of Wight Council has been able to stipulate that the unit shall not be bought into use until the replacement football ground is available to use.
Groundwork had started at the site of the new football stadium near the Racecourse Roundabout recently, with greenery removed.
Preliminary work was announced in February and it was hoped if issues with the Isle of Wight Council could be resolved, the build of the all-weather pitch and clubhouse would start in May, to be completed in the autumn.
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