We are frequently asked about the development at 17-23 London Road, described by most as the Tesco store. There hasn't been much activity recently and people are beginning to wonder what's happening.
We've been told by several people that Tesco are no longer coming to Alderley Edge, we've also heard it is going to be a spa and I've been stopped in the street by local business people asking me what's going on.
We know the committee met on October 14th to discuss the planning application and since then despite several emails and phone calls I've received no response to my enquiries from the Case Officer so I decided to have a look around and see what information I could find.
I did manage to speak with the Press Office at Tesco who told us "A developer is building this store for us and it isn't ready yet. I believe they needed revised planning but I suggest you speak to the council about that. We do hope to be opening it by February though."
As many of you know, the building has not been built in line with the permission granted in June 2005 so a retrospective application, 09/2028M, was submitted in July.
Some of the key differences between this recent application and the scheme which had been approved are:
- The eaves height of the main building has been increased by approximately 300mm and the rear section of the building has been increased by about a metre.
- The design and positions of the windows on the rear elevation and facing Clifton Street have altered.
- The roof design has altered and false chimneys have not been built.
- The service bay on Clifton Street has been removed, it is now to be a false bay door. A delivery bay is now to be created on London Road, with no HGV's using Clifton Street.
- An ATM and accesses have been added to the front of the shop.
The committee decided on October 14th that the application be delegated to the Head of Planning and Policy in conjunction with the Chairman for approval, subject to the receipt of amended plans showing chimneys located on the building (unless demonstrated to be unfeasible), subject to the completion of a S106 legal agreement for Traffic Regulation Order amendments and subject to the following conditions:
- A01AP - Development in accord with approved plans
- AGRG1 - Details of deliveries
- ALP71 - limitation on use
- AGR91 - Ground floor window display
- Access in accordance with approved plans
- No obstruction of footway
- Parking
- Cycle Parking
- Access Drive
- Changing Facilities
In addition the following conditions were also included:-
- Obscure glazing and non opening windows facing no.1 Clifton Street and the residency above Weinholts
- Hours of trading to be from 7am-11pm
- Deliveries between 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm
- Lighting scheme in the vicinty of the ginnel to be agreed
The planning portal doesn't contain any decision details as yet. I can only assume discussions are ongoing between the developers and Cheshire East and that at some point soon a decision notice will appear on the planning portal. We'll do our best to keep you informed.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
As for the missing chimneys, these would just make it a monstrosity with chimneys and I am ready to bet that pigs will fly before chimneys appear. I suspect that if your average householder ignored planning regulations in the same way they would, and should have to put things right.
I still, despite several enquiries want to know who at the end of the day was responsible for this entire debacle. They should hang their heads in shame. Tesco or no Tesco it is just an overlarge eyesore which should never never have been allowed.
Who the h... wants Tesco anyway - chimneys and all.
They suck the lifeblood out of any community.
Name me a local shop that will not suffer - if not be forced to close.
Three for two - check the prices the weeks before - it's absolute c---
Tesco - We do not need.
1. Staff at supermarkets are in very early and many deliveries arrive before 6am, somerfield takes deliveries at 5.30 am. Many things happen in the night without us noticing, it's not just Father Christmas who is busy before dawn (Ho ho ho).
2. Lorries when parked in the delivery bay WILL NOT obstruct the traffic, the road is wide enough to allow traffic to flow.
3. Tesco will not force the small shops of Alderley Edge to close, but it will in fact attract more shoppers to the village. A busy place is a good place to trade in, a ghost town is not.
4. The people of Alderley Edge will use this Tesco. Don't know what you others think but I never rated Somerfields and I will enjoy shopping at Tesco. Which is after all one of our largest national assets.
http://www.hatetesco.com
Tesco will be opening their shop 3 weeks into 2010 and I personally am very excited shame you can't be. I love my job and am very proud to work for the company and I know the real truth about how they care for their staff, customers and community as it is shown on every shift I complete.
Maybe you should spend more time looking for the good rather than the small amount of bad. There is only a small minority that are opposed to this shop and I know that for a fact as I have the figures. There are alot of positive comments and excited future customers.
I joined this forum to give my comments which are I am happy for this store to open and hope to see many new customers when it opens, And for the rest of you sorry you lost no hard feelings hey? but better luck next time!
It would appear that Tesco are definitely opening in the village and whether people use it will ultimately determine whether it will stay in the village.
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