Blaze-hit site set for transformation
Wednesday 4th March 2009, 1:15PM GMT.
A new supermarket along with other shops look likely to be built in a bid to transform the fire-ravaged heart of a Telford parish – ending a wait of nearly four years.
A planning application for the second phase of the regeneration scheme in Pool Farm Avenue, Leegomery, won approval of Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council members yesterday.
And Councillor Ron Plenderleith, who has worked tirelessly to get something done, said: “I don’t care if they put a marquee up there. Let’s get on with it.”
The centre of Leegomery was almost totally destroyed in July 2005 by a blaze, thought to have been caused by an electrical fault.
It ripped through Leegomery’s Spar shop, post office and pharmacy.
Developer Redrow initially unveiled plans to replace the damaged parade with five shops, 71 homes and a centre for the Listen & Care charity.
But the scheme suffered lengthy delays amid complaints from residents about over-density of the housing element and legal wrangles between the council and the developer.
Redrow finally pulled out of the whole project last year and the council announced it would step in with an unspecified sum of public money to kickstart the scheme and help boost the local economy.
If approved by Telford & Wrekin Council, the shops could be open by the autumn.
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Something needs to be done about the graffiti and vandalism around this area. I’m fed up of walking through there when walking my kids to school and seeing Leegomery Boyz painted everywhere, some people are just scum.
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Why waste the money, chances are the chavs will only set fire to what replaces the old shops given time.
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Have you seen the plans? They are fugly. It would have been better to have had the mixed use development originally proposed.
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Hoorah-another reason for the local hooligan element to congregate there again!-one of the reasons I left Leegomery 6 years ago!to allow my children the option of going to another corner shop without abuse etc.
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