Go-ahead given for new 24-hour Asda on the edge of Raunds

Councillors gave the go-ahead for a new Asda foodstore at Warth Park just off the A45 in London Road, Raunds, last night (Wednesday).

East Northants Council’s planning management committee had previously deferred the application for a 24-hour foodstore with a petrol filling station, jet wash, customer car park, service yard and associated landscaping.

They wanted to defer it so they could have more time to discuss the design and roof form of the foodstore, the feasibility of providing a layby for the bus-stop and the number of parking spaces.

And while they discussed the plans for the second time last night, some councillors also said they were concerned about the time of deliveries to the store and the effect this could have on people living nearby if the deliveries were late at night or early in the morning.

But the planning officer said Asda bosses were only expecting there to be four HGVs per day with three smaller deliveries.

Councillors were unable to secure a condition on the times which deliveries could be made, but they still went on to approve the plans.

It is not yet known when the new foodstore will open, but it is expected to create about 40 part and full-time jobs.