Tesco U-turn over Whitchurch plans
Monday 4th July 2011, 11:06AM BST.
Tesco today performed a U-turn over its plans to redevelop its existing supermarket in Whitchurch and revealed it could go back to the drawing board for the site.
Until now the company has insisted there was no scope for a major redevelopment of its existing store at White Lion Meadow.
Instead it has pushed ahead with controversial proposals for an out-of-town store at Edgeley Park, which is the home of Whitchurch Rugby Club.
But now in a letter to Shropshire Council planners, planning consultants DPP which act for Tesco, say the White Lion Meadow site could present a “major Tesco regeneration proposal”.
It came as the supermarket firm also today offered to save a row of banks under-threat because of plans to expand its Extra store in Shrewsbury.
In Whitchurch Tesco bosses have previously said there were too many constraints on the town centre site. But the DPP letter talks about overcoming a number of hurdles with a view to re-examining a town centre development.
Simon Hoare, spokesman for Tesco, said today it did not mean the Edgeley Park plans were being mothballed.
But he said: “It’s one of those things that one has to keep under continual review.”
In Shrewsbury Tesco has offered to save a row of banks under-threat because of the scheme for its Extra store.
The firm has announced plans to increase the size of its store in Harlescott.
The four banks – Lloyds TSB, HSBC, Barclays and Nat West – are tenants of Tesco and the land occupied by their buildings is needed to accommodate the store extension.
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
- The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff doesn't raise a smile
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Aah! Mr. Hoare who is quoted in this very newspaper as saying ‘there is no Plan B for White Lion Meadow’! Here we are after a massive local campaign to stop their terrible plans and now they know they are losing against Sainsbury’s they suddenly change their minds. What a bunch of untrustworthy individuals these people are. The council should now see Sainsbury’s on their own and give them the Green light.
Report abuse
Absolutely! They must now see that Sainsburys is the more popular development so have decided to offer a town centre alternative at the eleventh hour to ensure Whitchurch residents get no choice where to shop except for Tesco, Tesco or Tesco, whichever way we turn. Sainsbury’s should be given the go-ahead. We will still have a Tesco in the town centre, only a much improved one if there is real competition.
Report abuse
Couldn’t agree more Dinah! The perfect solution for Whitchurch is a Sainsbury’s at the top of the High Street and a redeveloped Tesco at the bottom. Tesco have made huge profits in Whitchurch over many years and its now time for them to put something back without trying to prevent choice in the process. There is scope for both a Sainsbury’s and a modest increase to the Tesco store which is possible if they acquire the wood yard or the swimming baths. It’s time Tesco stopped their disgraceful tactics and accept that this is the best plan for our community and our towns long term vitality. The council should get Sainsburys going right away and while thats going on get Tesco to come up with the White Lion Meadow development that everyone wants.
Report abuse