TWO stores at Northwich Retail Park look set to close after plans to convert four units into one large store complete with garden centre were given the go ahead.

Cheshire West and Chester’s planning department has rubber-stamped proposals to convert four units at the Manchester Road site into one larger retail store run by what planning documents referred to as a 'national discount retailer'.

The combined site would span 2,502 sq m and is currently comprised of four units. One is currently occupied by Carpet Right and another by Peacocks. Two others are empty but were previously home to Sports Direct and Argos.

The application, which was submitted by Prudential Assurance Company Limited, sought permission for alterations to the existing units and creation of a 685 sq m garden centre enclosure and installation of sprinkler tank and pumps.

The garden centre enclosure will be created on an existing staff parking area resulting in the loss of 22 spaces and will include perimeter fencing with a height of 4.8 metres. A planning report said that the proposed development will not result in any change to the existing customer car parking or vehicle access arrangements at the retail park.

It added: “The proposed development includes the amalgamation of Units 2A, 2B, 2C and 3A of the retail park to allow its occupation by a ‘discount variety’ retailer."

The application has been approved by the council's planning officers.

A separate planning application has also been submitted to extend the permitted retail use to include the sale of food and drink on a 400 sq m part of the site. The application would alter the permission previously granted in 1988 by Vale Royal Borough Council.

The application said: “The proposed variation will help to meet the retail needs of residents locally and reduce the potential for shoppers and expenditure to leak out to competing centres.

"This accords with the principles of achieving more sustainable forms of development within both local and national planning policy.”

The application can be viewed on the council's planning portal by searching for application number 22/01304/S52.