BUILDER S merchant Travis Perkins could move out of Huntingdon town centre to make way for a new link road between Ermine Street and Brampton Road. Planners are recommending that Huntingdonshire District Council s development control panel give the green

BUILDER'S merchant Travis Perkins could move out of Huntingdon town centre to make way for a new link road between Ermine Street and Brampton Road.

Planners are recommending that Huntingdonshire District Council's development control panel give the green light on Monday to outline planning consent for a builder's merchant and DIY store on land near the sorting office and St Peter's School off St Peter's Road.

There are derelict former employment offices on the site, which was owned by the Government's Property Services Agency.

Planners believe it is a potential location for Travis Perkins, which occupies a cramped site in Ermine Street that is difficult to access. Ermine Street, a key access road to the town centre, is often obstructed by juggernauts waiting to deliver to the site.

The retail store, with 138 car parking spaces, could be occupied by Wickes, a subsidiary of the builder's merchant, which specialises in the heavier end of the DIY market.

The planning applicant is Chase Sheldon (Investments) Limited, which has agreed to contribute £98,000 towards the Huntingdon Market Town Strategy if the development goes ahead.

The Ermine Street-Brampton Road link is a key element of the district council's plans for redevelopment of the west-of-town-centre area, including the site of the former Silent Channel premises and the industrial area on which Ruston Engineering (RECO) stands.

HDC envisages expanding the town centre shopping area across the ring road, which will see a marked reduction in traffic if the A14 viaduct is demolished and the new link road built. There would also be additional housing and commercial space as part of the council's vision completely to revitalise the town centre.