Sainsbury's renege on canal deal

THE Hales Owen Abbey Trust have accused Sainsbury's of reneging on a deal to restore a section of the Dudley No 2 Canal, that was part of the plan for a new store.

The trust's Chairman, Roy Burgess, believes that Sainsbury's is reneging on a deal to improve a stretch of the Dudley No.2 Canal—also known as the Lapal Canal.

Planning consent

He complains this was contained in the original planning consent granted to the company for its Selly Oak store, on the former Battery and Medals site five years ago.

However, a Sainsbury's spokesman tells the latest plan did not contain proposals for the restoration of the waterway, which is seen as a great  disappointment by the trust, with Roy complaining:

"The planning gain achieved by the canal restoration was a factor in that approval and neither Sainsbury's nor Birmingham City Council should renege upon the public expectations arising from the original plan."

Vital importance

He believes the restoration of the section of the Lapal Canal was of vital importance both in terms of leisure and economic growth. Five and half miles need restoring out of the original 11 miles.

Sainsbury's intend a proposed canal side square with restaurants besides the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Selly Oak.