Supermarket likely to be part of estate regeneration project

The proposed supermarket, which would provide up to 350 jobs and could open late next year, would be on the corner of Chaucer Road and Deerlands Avenue.

Other developments in the Chaucer District Centre regeneration scheme include a library, a public square, an NHS Sheffield health centre and new shops.

Chaucer Business and Enterprise College proposes to sell part of its car park to Asda and use the money to redevelop its grounds.

Planning applications for both the new supermarket and the revamp of the school grounds are set to be considered by Sheffield Council's west and north area planning board today.

A spokesman for Asda said: "We will set up a Local Employment Partnership and work with local Jobcentre Plus and other agencies to target local job seekers, with a particular focus on the long-term unemployed.

"Overall, the new jobs created will represent millions of pounds in new salaries circulating in the area every year, at a time when household budgets are increasingly stretched."

The new three-storey supermarket, which would have 350 parking spaces and 20 bicycle spaces, would also have a number of environmentally-friendly features.

"We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and energy usage so we can save money and pass those savings onto our customers", the spokesman said.

"If granted planning permission, a new store in Parson Cross will feature automatic light dimming, heat reclamation units, water-efficient taps and energy efficient lighting in frozen cases and cold rooms.

"We will also recycle excess heat from the in-store bakery to heat our warehouse."

The ground floor of the supermarket would have a vehicle entrance off Wordsworth Avenue leading to car parking, lower entrance points, lifts and travelators, with the main sales floor and restaurant on the first floor. Offices and training rooms would be on the top floor.

Ten letters of objection have been sent to Sheffield Council in

opposition to Asda's application, chiefly on the grounds of the potential increase in traffic on the main A61 Halifax Road and surrounding side streets.

One objector said a "larger store in a better location would be more beneficial to the area" while another claimed the supermarket could impact on existing local businesses.

A number of letters of support were also submitted, saying that Parson Cross residents currently have to travel some distance to a supermarket and the store would provide welcome employment for locals.

Asda itself carried out a public consultation, which involved an exhibition and asking people to fill out feedback forms. Of 99 feedback forms received, 96 per cent of respondents said they supported the proposals.

Sheffield Council's planning officers, in the report set to go before today's meeting, say that there is a need for such a store and the supermarket would also bring about improvements to local roads.

The report says: "The selling of the site for the development of the food store not only enables the creation of the anchor to the proposed District Centre, but has also secured monies for improvements to the public realm and formation of public art, which all play an integral part in the regeneration of the area.

"As such, it is considered that the development is considered acceptable."

If councillors grant planning consent at today's meeting, which begins at 2pm at Sheffield Town Hall, that decision is subject to referral and approval by the Secretary of State.