Sainsbury’s have confirmed that they are now selling off the failed supermarket site in Salisbury Road site where their plans to give Marlborough an alternative to Waitrose proved a flop.
This follows Sainsbury’s decision to ditch a judicial review they were seeking against Wiltshire Council over its decision to grant planning permission to rivals Tesco for a store on the adjoining Marlborough business park site (see exclusive report January 23).
A company spokesperson told Marlborough News Online: “Sainsbury’s will now look to market the site to a developer for residential redevelopment possibly including low key employment uses.”
“The council’s previous resolution to grant permission on the depot site for a mixed residential and employment development will clearly influence any future scheme.”
This was for 32 homes with workshops and offices, a project which has held fire since Sainsbury’s decided to take legal action against Wiltshire almost 18 months ago.
“This is the kind of development scheme we need now,” said Wiltshire councillor Nick Fogg. “It is exactly what people want, a chance to set up a business on the same site where they also live and can have a workshop or an office.”
“That could have a real impact on the local economy at a time like this and something that I hope will now be pursued.”
Agents Carter Jonas, whose original SOLD sign for the old Wiltshire Council depot site remains at the entrance, may now be asked to re-launch the scheme. A spokesman indicated that they had yet to be contacted by Sainsbury’s.