An artist's impression of the planned Grafton Way Tesco development
Ipswich: Delay over new Tesco store in Grafton Way
By Paul Geater
Thursday, October 25, 2012
6:01 PM
PROPOSALS to build a new Tesco store in Grafton Way have been delayed again – with the planning application not now expected to be discussed until early next year.
An artist's impression of the planned Grafton Way Tesco developmentThis time the wrangle is over access to the site, with Tesco developers in discussions with borough council planners to try to come up with a proposal that can be recommended to councillors.
However, this latest delay means there will be no decision on the proposal until early 2013 at the earliest – THREE YEARS after the original application was controversially given the go-ahead.
The scheme was extensively remodelled earlier this year with the size of the store cut back significantly and proposals for more than 100 flats abandoned.
The new application is for a food-based store only – it would not sell a wide range of other items. This was welcomed by other traders in the town who had feared that a superstore would damage the traditional town centre.
Work is, however, due to start on demolishing the former B&Q store and other empty retail units on the site which would mean that construction work could start soon after planning permission is granted.
A Tesco spokesman said: “Over the past few months we have been working with the planning authorities to obtain approval for some minor changes to our plans, mostly relating to access to the site.
“The revised planning application was submitted in August, and we hope to receive confirmation early in the new year.
“In the meantime, we are cracking on with some of the preparatory work to make the site ready for construction, including the demolition of the former B&Q warehouse.
“We are very grateful for the continued interest and support shown by the local community during this process. We know that people will be encouraged to see activity on the site, and look forward to delivering much needed regeneration, great value shopping and jobs to Ipswich.”
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5 comments
Tesco have had five years to sort this out. I would be amazed if they have any intention of building the new application they are going for. A 140 bed budget hotel?! Come on, with Travelodge and Premier Inn openbuilding, that only leaves Accor. If TLodge and Premier aren't opening hotels that big, are Accor going to? Of course not. Tesco are going to come back and say sorry, we can only build the store and the retail units. So more competition for the town centre AND free parking!
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Nick78
Friday, October 26, 2012
We dont need another supermarket,espcially there.The traffic is heavy most off the time.More traffic would be a nightmere.
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DT
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Tesco up to their normal tricks. They put forward an all singing and dancing proposal that the council cannot refuse to accept because of the added extras. This is timed to scupper the attempts of a competitor to build in the centre of town. Once this is achieved they then water down the proposal. We will end up with an ordinary Tesco supermarket on the waterfront with no added extras adding nothing to the area. It was always going to be so. Beware the president of the ASDA at SToke Park who also started with a grandious plan that ended as an ordinary store. They demolished buildings and created a huge mound of earth that became an eyesore. The council had to agree to any plan just to get rid of the eyesore. Remember if it seems to good to be true it usually is..
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GrumpyRanter
Thursday, October 25, 2012
that cant be ipswich traffic lights are green not red and free running traffic
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ipsjohn
Thursday, October 25, 2012
I think there is more to this problem than meets the eye , ,,??? now we are going to have another derelict building site in that area after they demolish the B&Q BUILDING
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MIGUEL100
Thursday, October 25, 2012