Ikea has bounced back from the setback of a second planning refusal for its Stockport store, and has lodged a new application for a 306,780 sq ft (28,500 sq m) store in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

An outline planning application has been submitted to Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council for an Ikea store on the 120-acre Firstpoint Business Park in Doncaster. The store would trade over two floors, and would feature more than 1,000 car parking spaces underneath.

Firstpoint, developed by the Catesby Property Group, has already attracted B&Q, which is trading from a 150,000 sq ft (13,935 sq m) Warehouse store. Catesby operations director Darren Farmer said: ‘We are hoping that Ikea’s application will be determined early next year.’

At the same time, Ikea has announced that it plans to appeal against the Deputy Prime Minister’s decision to reject a £30 million store in Greater Manchester for a second time.

John Prescott threw out the Swedish furniture giant’s bid for a store in Stockport last month, saying it was too big, did not have enough parking spaces, lacked decent public transport links and would have a negative impact on local traders.

Now Ikea has confirmed it is appealing against the decision in the High Court and has the backing of Stockport Council.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s decision in August followed his first rejection of the plans in 2002, after a public inquiry ruled it should go ahead.

A second public inquiry earlier this year also gave the 322, 930 sq ft (30,000 sq m) store the thumbs up.

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