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Councillor denies claims of talks with store on land
A COUNCILLOR has dismissed claims that he has been having talks with a supermarket about it developing a popular shopping precinct's car park.
Claims were made at a public meeting about the future of Portchester Community Centre that Tory councillor Nick Walker had been in talks with Lidl about it building a store on the car park, in Portchester precinct.
But Cllr Walker, who was unable to attend the meeting on Tuesday night, said: 'These allegations are absolute rubbish.
'Lidl made an application for a store at the Castle industrial estate in Portchester a few years back, but that was rejected by the planning committee.
'They did appeal, but withdrew it before it was heard.
'Then about a year ago Lidl sent us an idea for something on the south car park, but it was not an application so we sent it back because we couldn't consider it.
'I have had no contact with anyone at all about developing the car park.
'If the decision is made to develop the car park, it will have to go to tender. We cannot enter into a deal with just one company.'
Campaign group the Friends of Portchester called Tuesday's meeting at Portchester Community School to look at ways of fundraising for a new community centre at Westlands Grove without having to develop the precinct car parks.
Fareham Borough Council has promised to rebuild the ageing community centre, which is earmarked for demolition, and Hampshire County Council has pledged 1m towards the project. But more money will need to be raised to complete the scheme and Fareham is currently looking at ways to raise the cash, including development of the car park, which many residents oppose.
Cllr Walker also hit back at claims he had 'snubbed' Tuesday's meeting.
He said: 'I was at our Conservative group meeting where we were discussing issues on the agenda for next week's executive.
'There are a couple of issues on the agenda affecting Portchester that I feel very strongly about, and I wanted to make sure I could make my points.
'It's nonsense to say I don't care about Portchester.'
All three Lib Dem Portchester East councillors, Roger Price, David Norris and Christopher Brown attended Tuesday's meeting.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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