A decision on plans to build a Sainsbury’s convenience store at the site of the former Chandos Cinema in Buckingham has been delegated to planning officers.
At a meeting of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s development control committee today, Thursday, councillors agreed to leave it to officers to approve the new store once amended plans have been received.
Under the plans, the 1930s cinema building will be demolished and a new store and parking area will be created.
A new access is also proposed for the site, which was most recently a Vauxhall dealership.
Plans to redevelop the site as a convenience store were announced back in January.
The developers say the 280sqm store will create up to 25 new jobs. Around £2.5million is set to be invested in the new venture.
Speaking to the Advertiser after the meeting, district councillor Robin Stuchbury said he had called for the developers to provide a footpath to the store from the London Road side of the site to take account of the crossing on London Road.
He said: “An opportunity was lost. I do believe at some point in the future people will ask for a path as their children will go that way.”
He added he was concerned that taxpayers would then have to foot the bill for a new path.
The plans received eight letters and a petition with 16 signatures in support and five letters objecting to the scheme.
The art deco building has been vacant for a number of years and is now in a dilapidated state.
Sainsbury’s also plan to build a superstore on the ring road.