Decision day for Tesco store plan

A controversial bid by Tesco to build a superstore opposite Bingley Conservation Area is expected to be determined today.

Councillors will be advised to refuse planning permission for the proposed retail unit, which would be more than 6,000 square metres, on the site of a former auction mart in Keighley Road, north of the town centre.

Tesco says the new "environmentally friendly" development, which would sell mostly food and 20 per cent other goods, would create up to 350 jobs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But hundreds of people, including Bingley Civic Trust, have formally objected to the bid through five petitions containing 661 signatures.

Bradford Council has received representations from 27 people supporting the application and 153 who are against it.

The scheme's critics appear to be in line for a victory as council officers have recommended the store be refused planning permission.

A report to be considered by Bradford Council's Area Planning Panel (Shipley) today, says: "From the information provided, there are serious concerns that the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the future vitality and viability of Bingley town centre, particularly given existing difficult trading conditions. Furthermore, the development would prejudice the development of a sequentially preferable site, the Bradford & Bingley offices site."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Critics of the proposed superstore have claimed that the development would have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre and an adverse effect on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal Conservation Area.

They have also said that works to improve Bingley town centre, including the market place and traffic calming measures, would be compromised by a large retail unit located outside the town centre.

The store would lead to more traffic congestion and the increased traffic would endanger pupils of Bingley Grammar School, it has been claimed.

Bingley councillor David Heseltine, who is opposed to the scheme, said: "I have some concerns about the impact on the existing retail offer in the town centre. The argument that it will not affect trade in Bingley does not bear out. If people go down there they are not going to go into Bingley town centre. A large voracious competitor could spell difficulties for what's going on in the town centre.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We spent tens of millions of pounds building the Bingley bypass to take traffic out of Bingley town centre. The only way people would be able to get to Tesco is by driving through Bingley town centre."

However, the store's supporters have said the development would attract people and spending to Bingley and create additional jobs.

They claim the existing retail offer in Bingley is limited and the store would reduce the need to travel out of the town to shop.

It has also been noted that the former auction mart is "unsightly" and "should be redeveloped".

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Matthew Magee, Tesco corporate affairs manager, said: "A new store in Bingley would create 350 jobs and provide a great service for the town.

"At the moment people are travelling out of town to other supermarkets. By bringing people to shop in Bingley and providing a free car park, we can provide great value and choice closer to home, and importantly we can help to support the town centre and help Bingley's economy.

"We're grateful for the support we've received from so many Bingley residents and I hope that the planning committee support job creation and investment in these difficult economic times."