Via http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Grand-plan-Debenhams-H-amp-M-TK-Maxx-500...

Grand plan: Debenhams, H&M, TK Maxx and 500 jobs

Thursday, January 23, 2014

West Briton

By Chlöe Smith

AMBITIOUS plans for a multi-million-pound shopping park which could see retail giants move into Hayle have been submitted to Cornwall Council.

Cranford Developments is hoping to get permission for eight retail units on land near Marsh Lane, including Debenhams, H&M and TK Maxx, creating up to 500 jobs.

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   Plans that could see retail giant Debenhams move into Hayle have been submitted to Cornwall Council.

The plans also include improvements to the A30, as well as new cycling routes and better pedestrian links.

As part of the consultation process, Cranford exhibited its proposals to local residents in September last year.

More than 900 people submitted their views, with 94 per cent supporting the plans.

Bill Oakley, chairman of Cranford Developments, said: "We have had a fantastic response from local people and we have listened carefully to their suggestions.

"This scheme will bring over £30 million of investment to west Cornwall, providing hundreds of jobs and a boost for the local economy. The scheme will also bring many community benefits, including an enhanced nature reserve and significant improvements to the A30."

Cranford has adapted the plans in response to suggestions from the local community and key stakeholders.

These include speed calming measures on the road into Angarrack, a pedestrian crossing over the A30 at ground level and improvements to the green buffer zone.

Requests for a dedicated staff parking bay are to be implemented in the scheme, as well as increased customer parking and improvements to the design of the front of the new stores.

If the plans are approved by Cornwall Council, the developers would also be expected to help with future town centre management initiatives in Hayle.

Cranford developed the West Cornwall Shopping Park in 2006 and said the new plans for the surrounding area were a way to offer a greater choice of shopping for locals.

So far more than 350 people have expressed an interest in working at the new shopping park, which would also house Mountain Warehouse and Outfit which includes the brands Miss Selfridge, Oasis, Topshop and Warehouse, among others.

Gareth Dougherty, acquisitions manager from Debenhams, said it would be a great opportunity for Hayle.

He added: "We have been looking for a new store in west Cornwall for the last five years. We believe that this site meets our requirements perfectly and that a flagship Debenhams store in Hayle will offer much-needed choice for our customers as well as employment opportunities and inward investment for the area as a whole."

The developers hope to start work in the autumn with the retail stores set to open a year later.