Out-of-town M&S Foodhall approved after two years

An out-of-town Marks & Spencer Foodhall has been approved almost two years after plans were first submitted.

West Northamptonshire Council discussed the proposal for the site of the former Homebase at Northampton's Riverside Retail Park at a planning meeting on Thursday.

The project has faced delays since plans were submitted in May 2024 due to traffic concerns and an objection from Tesco, which has a supermarket at the nearby Weston Favell Shopping Centre.

Planning officers at the Reform UK-controlled council had recommended the proposal for approval, and it won unanimous backing.

Their report said: "The scheme delivers clear economic benefits, including substantial job creation, new investment and improved retail choice."

The report said the development would include a traffic lights upgrade at the nearby A45/A43 Lumbertubs interchange.

The meeting heard that more than 100 comments has been submitted in support of the development, with Tesco the only objector.

Tesco warned it could impact footfall in other shopping areas.

Stephen Hibbert, the Conservative member for Weston Favell and Abington Vale, said he "never understood" Tesco's objection.

"I doubt M&S will have much impact on Tesco's daily shoppers but will provide a much-loved alternative and the kind of shopping experience that our residents lament the loss of when the town centre store closed," he said.

That town centre store closed in 2018 and has now been demolished.

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