No to Ikea in Mougins on the Côte d’Azur

There has been another twist in the saga over the proposed Ikea family village site in Mougins on the Côte d’Azur. The Paris-based "Commission départementale d’équipement commercial" (CDEC) has rejected the proposal to cite an Ikea store in the Saint-Martin district much to the delight of many residents, particularly those of neighbouring Mouans-Sartoux. Not everyone however is entirely happy with the verdict and more is expected to become clear once the panel publishes its report detailing the reasons for having rejected the giant chain’s proposals. For many, the presence of an Ikea offers a solution to current congestion problems in the Saint-Martin district. While the store would certainly increase the volume of traffic in the area, the company is prepared to fund a better road network to cater for the increase, as well as creating upwards of 500 jobs in the local area. However, the anti-Ikea camp claims the store would be to the detriment of local shops. Given the length of time and investment it has taken Ikea to reach this point, the company is expected to lodge an appeal.