Businesses set to move to long time vacant site in heart of Melton

Car parts firm Parker has been given the green light to build a new 4,000 sq ft store on the land fronting Norman Way, sandwiched between North Street, Jubilee Street, Charlotte Street and Norman Way.

And the approved plans also reveal that home improvement chain Screwfix intends to build a new similarly sized store adjacent to the new Parker outlet.

The plans show a proposed entrance off Norman Way and the provision of 12 parking spaces, plus one disabled space.

Parker already has a Melton branch on the nearby Snow Hill Industrial Estate. At the time of going to press it wasn’t known if it would be a case of re-locating this branch.

The Melton Times contacted both Parker and Screwfix but neither firm was available for comment as the paper went to press.

The prime site, close to the town’s Premier Inn hotel, has been vacant for a number of years, having been earmarked for previous retail developments by developers which never came to fruition.

Melton town centre manager Shelagh Core said: “It’s a long-time vacant site which has been an eyesore and blight on the landscape so I think any improvement and development there will be welcomed.

“I think the businesses moving there will be good for the town but I do hope there will be some design guidance on the development, ensuring it complements the area.”