Supermarket bid moves step closer despite traffic fears
PLANS for a new supermarket in West Bridgford have taken a major step forward.
The 50,000 sq ft store is set to be built near to the Becket School in Wilford Lane, with work likely to start in the next 18 to 24 months.
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Prime site: Artist's impression of how the new Sainsbury's store in Wilford Road, West Bridgford, would look.
The plans were backed by the development control committee at Rushcliffe Borough Council after a heated debate.
They will now be referred to communities secretary Eric Pickles before work can begin.
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Matt Nicholson, regional town planning manager for Sainsbury's, said he was delighted the plans had been approved.
He said: "The new store will provide new jobs in the area as well as improving the choice that people have when it comes to shopping.
"Obviously we have cleared the first hurdle and there is a long way to go before the work begins, but we expect it to begin in the next 18 to 24 months.
"With regard to concerns about traffic, we will be putting in a number of improvements along Wilford Lane, such as widening the pavement and having a dedicated turning lane into the Roko gym."
Concerns were expressed at the meeting about the impact the new store will have on existing shops in West Bridgford, the safety of pupils at the Becket School as well as traffic problems in Wilford Lane.
Gordon Wheeler, ward councillor for Compton Acres, said claims the store would create 350 jobs didn't stand up.
He said: "The store would have a large impact on the town centre in West Bridgford and the way stores would respond to falling demand is by letting staff go. We have schemes running in West Bridgford such as Totally Locally which encourage people to shop in independent stores – a new supermarket would take trade away from local businesses when we want to support them.
"People living nearby will suffer from the store – the traffic along Wilford Lane will be much busier than it is now and the safety implications for people using the school will be big."
Abbey councillor John Bannister echoed his concerns.
He said: "The store would have a direct impact on the viability of the town centre in West Bridgford.
"Also, while I welcome the news the A453 will be widened, I might not get to use it as Wilford Lane will become so busy."
However, Trent councillor Jean Smith said: "The death of West Bridgford was suggested when the Marks and Spencer store was built, but this has had a positive effect on the centre."
Comments
by peasantgirl
Sunday, August 19 2012, 6:42PM
“I no longer shop in Westbridgford town center since getting a parking ticket . (ticket stated i had put my reg plate didgets in the wrong way around when using the new style parking meter). Dyslexic and using a small touch pad not always easy and ticket was revoked after appealing and asking for eveidence of the aformentioned mistake. was a bit tiresome and never had that problem when shopping at Asda or Morrisons ." Easy Peasy " Just park and shop. Looking forward to Sainburys opening a bit of healthy competition for the other large Supermarkets watch those prices come down ...........................”
by Siforest65
Sunday, August 19 2012, 8:54AM
“I don't think the Marks and Spencer example is good. I used to love going into Bridgford to use the park and have a walk up the pedestrianised Avenue especially on a Sunday afternoon. I don't bother now as M & S didn't supply any additional parking and what was a public car park next to it is now the unofficial M & S one and you can never get in there.”
by mattgaltress
Saturday, August 18 2012, 10:27PM
“Again, why should we trust their job figures?”
by ian_bridgford
Saturday, August 18 2012, 4:48PM
“Marks and Spencer had a positive effect because it is in West Bridgford Town Centre, Wilford Lane isn't. I'm with Gordon Wheeler on this.
Plus, 'With regard to concerns about traffic, we will be putting in a number of improvements along Wilford Lane, such as widening the pavement', so the pavement will be widened, reducing the width of the road and so make traffic worse.”