Tuesday 28 September 2010

TESCO TO RESUBMIT TENBURY STORE APPLICATION THIS WEEK

Press Release

Tesco has reiterated its commitment to the former cattle market site in Tenbury Wells and intends to resubmit its application to develop a store on the site this week.

Following ongoing consultation between Tesco and planning officials, local residents and key stakeholders, a number of design and landscaping changes have been made to the original scheme. The application, which was withdrawn in July, is expected to be resubmitted to Malvern Hills District Council on September 30th.


The new scheme includes additional landscaping along the River Teme side of the site to alleviate flood risk and changes have also been made to the store approach, store design and site levels to improve the view from Teme Street. Plans to renovate the former fire station building remain in place.


The new store design proposes a circular entrance lobby to reflect the architectural character of the market building in Market Square and to enhance views of the store from the site entrance from Teme Street, a smaller service yard and improved landscaping at the rear of the site.


The delivery area at the back of Spar and the pedestrian link to Teme Street will also see improvements under the new proposals to improve the visual appearance of the proposed development.


Tesco is now inviting local people to view the new plans at an Information Day to be held at the Pump Rooms in Tenbury Wells from 11am to 6.30pm on Friday October 8th.


Sophie Akokhia, Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco, said: “Since we withdrew our original application, we have continued the discussions that we were already under way and we have revised the scheme in line with feedback we have received.


“We have listened to local people and groups including the Chamber of Trade and Civic Society, and we’ve incorporated feedback to our plans where possible. We have also continued ongoing discussions with key organisations involved in this complex scheme, including the council, Environment Agency and Highways Agency. “As a result we feel we now have the best possible scheme for local people.


The proposed store is about two thirds of the size of our store in Ludlow and has been designed to be sympathetic to the local environment. It will offer choice and value, create new jobs for local people and keep trade within the town by eradicating the need for Tenbury residents to travel outside of the town to do their weekly grocery shop.


“We have already had some positive support from local shoppers and traders in the town but we would encourage people to come and see our new proposals and talk with members of the project team at the Pump Rooms on October 8th.”


Worcester Evening News

Shropshire Star

Tenbury Advertiser have printed an article in the 30th September 2010 edition under an "exclusive" banner. (Deluded!)

Online version not yet available.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting to see wr15 you haven't mentioned the infirmary. So are they still knocking it down or what?

@WR15 said...

This is a straight press release from Tesco, but my understanding is that they will also be re-applying to demolish the infirmary.

Anonymous said...

How can they keep trying to demolish something thy keep getting refused on this shows no respect from tesco as they have been refused to demolish the infirmary and yet are trying again. Yes another act of selflessness from tesco.

Anonymous said...

Obviously they want this application refused as well.
My question is do they really want this site?.

Anonymous said...

If everyone gave up at the first refusal the world would be a very poor place.

Anonymous said...

That wasn't their first refusal on my count it was their second so they should see sense and stay away

Anonymous said...

Knock it down, it's a knackered ramshakle collection of bricks that's no good to man nor beast.

And before the haters get worked up, no I am not suggesting the wholesale demolition of our countries ancient or old buildings, but there has to come a time when they have served their purpose and are a hindrance to progression.

Anonymous said...

COME ON TESCO

Anonymous said...

Looks very much like we're going to have a Tesco in Tenbury. The town needs a breath of fresh air at the moment it's stagnating.

Ian said...

To be honest, how many people would really miss the infirmary? How many people have been to see it recently and admire its architecture? Yet, it’s part of Tenbury’s history - but is it so important that Tenbury can afford to sacrifice a huge investment from Tesco?

Anonymous said...

if people are concerned about the imfirmary easy move else ware brick by brick it is useless

Bumblebee said...

Mmmn. We wait to see these new plans with interest..

I hope they've consulted all the required statutory bodies on these revised plans..

As they're going to be using the Teme Bridge ["Unsuitable for HGV's"] as their sole access for their own and subcontractor's 44 tonne HGV's.. I wonder if they're aware of it's protected status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument which is overdue substantial structural repairs to the tune of £1 million?

Bumblebee said...

Just quickly.. Where is this press release re Tesco's plans?

I've just looked on their page for Tesco PLC press releases and it's not within the latest ones seemingly..

Has this been released to some people before public access?

@WR15 said...

I think it might be the route which is advised as unsuitable for HGVs not the bridge.

Anonymous said...

nice to see you didnt post my comment wr15.

Lets add it this time yea?

Where did you get this "Press Release" as I can not find it on any local news (Paper or Online) or Tesco's own website

So where did this so called press release come from?

mrlongbeard said...

If the bridge is as bad as has been reported in another blog then it should have a 7.5t limit slapped on it ASAP and stop all HGV's using to prevent any further damage.

I'm sure the shops that use it as a delivery route into town would arrange for their deliveries to go around town and through the narrow road by the market.

Unless of course the bridge isn't a problem......

@WR15 said...

Which comment didn't I publish? Nothing else has come through for moderation.

Articles based on press release in tonight's Worcester News & Shropshire Star.

Anonymous said...

Tonight's Worcester news and Shropshire star? but you managed to post this yesterday. Just wondered how your getting press releases that hasn't been published yet.

@WR15 said...

I'm only guessing but the press release was probably too late to meet yesterdays print time, whereas if I'm home I can publish in seconds.

Bumblebee said...

The £1 million long-delayed repair job on the Teme Bridge's reported cracking and shifting/rain damage etc [in 2005 surveys] is only part of the story.. There's more that's of interest with it but that's worth saving to a later date..

The HGV's that are servicing the town at present had to apply for 'access' through the TRO. Some have clearly secured this with a large HGV's. With the failing of WCC to act on structural surveyor's recommendations in 2006 though new applications will need to take the precarious state of the Teme bridge in mind fully.

I can tell you now that there is at least one statutory body [who at this date have yet to be re-consulted] who is very worried that the bridge as it stands won't take 'an extra hit' of planned additional HGV traffic. To remind you that a Scheduled Ancient Monument enjoys the highest level of protection that can be given.

The existing HGV access granted won't be affected as I understand though so present business won't be affected.

Cryptic eh?

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work Bumblebee ,they dont like your 'stinging'comments, all relevant may i add.

Bumblebee said...

Thanks anonymous. All that I've done really is just relay a set of publicly-available facts and figures [and a few relevant additional comments from the 'Tenbury No Tesco' blog].

It would seem that there's two very different perspectives on the structural integrity of the Teme Bridge appearing though.

One quotes the various documents freely-available to view [and one doc that WCC have now taken offline] to reveal an apparently precarious state of bridge repair. The other seems to represent WCC who [according to comments recorded at Town Council meets] apparently would like the public to believe that all is in fact fine [i.e. ignore the facts/quotes found].

They can't both be true accounts.

There seems to boil down to Council penny-pinching vs public and bridge safety at this point in time.

Clearly this would be a crazy time to invite substantial additional HGV traffic over the bridge.

Anonymous said...

Hasthe application been put in yet? Or did they miss their deadline