The Mablethorpe And Sutton Chamber Of Trade (MASCOT) committee, and the majority of it’s members who have expressed an opinion, support this development recognising that the town needs significant economic regeneration. MASCOT has previously submitted a letter of support to the Town Council which was passed on to ELDC, hosted a presentation by Lindum and remained in regular contact with them.
As tourism steadily contributes less to the town an increase in population is essential to avoid the continued closure of businesses, loss of services and jobs. This 50 million pound investment is the only significant development on offer and represents a fork in the road for Mablethorpe’s future. As such it was particularly disappointing that the ELDC planning meeting dismissed the application with so little consideration, the chair being openly more keen to end for lunch than discuss the matter fully.
The introduction of a superstore represents added competition to some businesses but many residents currently drive to Skegness or Grimsby to do their ‘big shop’. If a superstore keeps them in the town, and better still brings in people from the surrounding villages who currently wouldn’t dream of shopping in Mablethorpe, then there are substantial benefits to be considered.
MASCOT continues to support the development as a key component in the (currently stalled) economic regeneration of Mablethorpe, one of Britain’s most deprived areas. We trust this hastily considered and poorly informed planning refusal (made by the council selling the land for which a rival application was approved in the same session) will be overturned on appeal.