Anger at shock tesco store bid
SHOCK new plans to build a Tesco superstore in Sandiacre have left residents, businesses and councillors up in arms.
The supermarket giant aims to build an environmentally friendly 'eco store' opposite the existing Lidl supermarket in Station Road, as part of a redevelopment of land alongside the Erewash Canal.
Kate Carlin, who owns the sandwich shop Cob Corner in Station Road, was gathering names of people for and against the development outside an exhibition of the plans organised by Tesco at Sandiacre Cricket Club on Thursday.
She said: "I think Tesco have been really sneaky with this. They only sent about 300 notices out when the population of Sandiacre is about 8,000.
"If this plan goes ahead, it's going to take my business away."
Lifelong Sandiacre resident and Erewash borough councillor Gary Dinsdale said: "For me the reasons against outweigh the benefits as the plan stands at the moment.
"My main concern is with traffic. At peak times Tesco say there could be an extra 350 vehicles passing through.
"I would urge people in Sandiacre to stand up and have their say."
He said Sandiacre residents concerned about the plan should attend the next parish council meeting on Tuesday 7pm in the Memorial Hall in Doncaster Avenue.
Cllr Jennifer Hulls, who also represents Sandiacre on the borough council and is a member of the planning committee, said: "This could be an asset or a disaster.
"The area is an eyesore but Tesco's plans show a complete transformation which could threaten the survival of small businesses."
The store would be roughly half the size of the Ilkeston store and be equipped with features to lower its environmental impact such as roof vents to create natural air conditioning and the use of rainwater to flush its toilets.
Tesco claims it will create between 250 and 300 new jobs if the plan gets the green light.
There would also be a new bus interchange built on the site.
Tesco corporate affairs manager Tony Fletcher said that data showed people were leaving the town to go to the Tesco store in neighbouring Long Eaton, and that a Sandiacre store would encourage footfall to existing shops.
"We have taken on board a lot of what people discussed with us at the exhibition last week, especially residents' concerns about traffic," he said.
According to Tesco, which has a third superstore in nearby Toton, a planning application is due to be received by Erewash Borough Council in the next few days, which will also include the construction of eight retail units on the site to house new businesses.
lThe news comes as Tesco announced it will open the doors of its newest store in Ilkeston at 8am next Wednesday, at the site of the former White Cow pub in Nottingham Road.
Store manager Darren Burrows said: "We are delighted that we can create stable jobs for local people in this time of uncertainty. We look forward to playing an active role in the local community."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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