Drivers Jonas Deloitte is on a collision course with client ASDA over advice it has given on a rival project in
The clash has emerged just four months after the supermarket fell out with planning adviser Savills and appointed DJD to handle planning work.
Savills was fired after it publicly attacked the Competition Commission’s recommendations to improve competition in the groceries market – moves which ASDA supports (12 December, p15).
This time, the clash has arisen because ASDA and DJD find themselves fighting on opposite sides of the fence in a planning battle. Sources said that the relationship could be brought to a premature end as a result.
ASDA won planning consent in January for a 44,000 sq ft store on the site of Telford & Wrekin Council’s civic offices on the edge of the town. But developer Hark Apollo, its current landlord, had hoped to secure the chain to anchor its own redevelopment of the 1m sq ft
When the negotiations stopped, Hark objected to ASDA’s own plans, with DJD providing planning advice. Hark tried, unsuccessfully, to have the supermarket’s proposed development called in (23 January, p26).
This week, ASDA submitted an objection to Hark’s plans, on the grounds that it would adversely affect the existing ASDA store and parking area before its proposed move in 2014. The council deferred Hark’s plans on Wednesday.
Jonathan Refoy, head of property communications for ASDA, said: “The redevelopment of the primary car park which serves the ASDA store will result in the loss of over 480 car-parking spaces during the period of its redevelopment. The loss of these spaces, combined with the effects of the building and other construction works associated with the redevelopment will impact our business.”
DJD declined to comment.
