PLANS for a "shopping village" on the outskirts of Sandbach have been dropped by the developers, ending a three year battle.

London-based company Value Retail had planned to put the scheme before a Government Inspector after being knocked back by Congleton Borough Council, who opposed the massive scheme on planning grounds.

But in a dramatic climbdown this week, the multi national company said it would not be pursuing the matter any further, ending an anxious wait by traders in the town, who believe the development would have been the "final nail in Sandbach's coffin".

The decision came after environment secretary John Gummer stepped in to refuse planning permission for a similar scheme in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.

Local councillor David Lloyd-Griffiths said he was pleased that common sense had finally prevailed.

He added: "An appeal would have meant spending a considerable amount of public and private money. All relevant planning policies went against the proposals.

"We were opposing this because it was out-of-town and it would have had a severe effect on an already struggling town centre."

And he said that with the possibility of the development coming to Sandbach finally disappearing, it would pave the way for more investment within the town.

"Certainly I have heard that investment in sites such as the Commons garage has not been forthcoming, because people have been nervous about the effect the retail park would have had on the town," Cllr Lloyd-Griffiths said.

"But there is still a long way to go. It was only one part of a complex set of circumstances which have lead to the dopwngrading of the town centre. There are still very high business rates, and a reluctance from property owners to reduce rents."

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