News

Removing restrictions at former MFI store

REMOVING planning conditions restricting what can be sold at Aberystwyth’s former MFI store would threaten the future of the town centre, a planning inspector has said.

And refusing to lift the bulky goods sale restriction is key for the “vitality and viability” of Aberystwyth town centre and to protect the proposed major shopping development in Mill Street, inspector Gwynedd Thomas ruled.

Aberdeen Property Investors, which runs the Parc y Llyn retail site, wanted the bulky goods restriction lifted from the former MFI unit saying that it would enable them to find a retailer to take over the store, which has been empty for around 18 months. They proposed having a bulky goods restriction on units at Phase 2 of the retail park, the former Tiles R Us and Richley’s units, which are both now empty.

But Mr Thomas said allowing a national retailer to take over the former MFI store would damage the town centre and could hit the scheme in Mill Street, despite the project not expected to be ready for another five years. Mr Thomas dismissed the appeal from API.
 

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