Greggs have won a battle against Welsh health chiefs to open a new store in a popular town centre.
Following the closure of Superdrug in Pontypool, South Wales, neighbouring store Greggs submitted a planning application outlining their plans to open a bigger outlet in the vacant spot.
The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, however, did its best to stop the bakery chain expanding, arguing that Pontypool has enough food and drink outlets.
The health board too accused Greggs of selling ‘unhealthy food,’ which could be a concern given the site’s close proximity to an educational centre.
But that opposition has been deemed unjustified by planning officer Tom Brathwaite, with the new Greggs set to open up in the near future.
A planning report stated: ‘The nature of the occupier and the goods they sell in this instance cannot prejudice the favourable determination of this application, and on balance does not warrant refusal of the scheme presented.
‘There is limited planning policy context to justify opposition of this use operating within a specific location, and therefore this has been given limited weight.’
Residents of Pontypool were similarly in favour of a new Greggs store opening, with many taking to social media to express their disillusion that it could be refused.
Sue Woodward wrote on Facebook: ‘Pontypool needs all the help it can get and it certainly doesn’t seem to see much coming from the council!.’
Steven Branch added: ‘New shops mean jobs and rent, would they rather see another Shop in Pontypool empty?’
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And Ashton Taylor-Waters commented: ‘They shouldn’t even be allowed to have a say on the matter, it’s not their decision to control the intake of other people, they’re just pulling away another potential franchise that is probably the only well known company in Pontypool town aside Tesco.’
Greggs too hit back at those opposing their new store, reminding people that in 2023, 40% of their range was actually a ‘healthier option.’
Planning agents acting on behalf of Greggs defined ‘healthy’ as any option which contained fewer than 400 calories and is without red traffic lights as per the government’s voluntary nutrition labelling scheme.
A statement by the planning agents read: ‘In 2023, Greggs far exceeded their target for 30 percent of the items on their shelves to be healthier choices.’
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