If I was a planning officer, I'd be a lot more inclined to give weight to the FHS' considered and well-expressed objections than to other opinions expressed upthread. The frantic, overstated tone of much of the objection has damaged local support as much as it has encouraged it.

I do think the 'anchor' element is overstated - Sainsbury's is the anchor of FH, Somerfield the anchor of ED; the Old Bank, with the best will in the world, is just the first unit on HOP. From one end. It may be impression-forming, but it is wild exaggeration to claim it as the anchor location for the whole parade.

I think too much weight is given to hearsay regarding alternative interest in the site. Nobody knows if anyone was actually interested - it is commonplace in commercial negotiations to claim after the fact that one 'just missed out', particularly if it might improve one's relationship with another party. It is entirely possible that none of the much-lauded pub groups showed the remotest interest in the site.

The strongest argument is the transfer from A3 to A5. Sadly the better arguments in that regard have hitherto been swallowed by misplaced aspirationalism.