Belper residents have their say about possible Tesco site
CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for a new Tesco in Belper have
drawn up a list of developments local people would rather see
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protest: Andy Minion looks at the BATS website to show support
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outline plan: The area inside the yellow dotted line could be occupied by Tesco as part of Amber Valley Borough Council's development plan for the industrial estate around Derwent Street
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signing-up: Jenny Raphael (left) of BATS collecting petition signatures in Belper earlier this summer
on the proposed site.
BATS (Belper Against Tesco Superstore) was formed in May
last year after the retail giant spoke with Amber Valley
Borough Council about building a store in Derwent Street.
Now, the group has surveyed people about what they want the
site used for.
A report was sent to the council to help write a brief for
any company wanting to develop on the site.
Most of the 70 residents who took part wanted the 80,000sq
ft area used for better leisure facilities.
Suggestions included a bowling alley, children's play area,
cinema, outdoor swimming facilities and a riverside
promenade.
BATS spokesman Andy Minion said: "The main thing the report
showed is people want anything other than Tesco on that
site.
"About 60% of people wanted leisure developments of some
kind.
"I can't speak for the residents who completed our survey,
but I think there may be a perception, whether right or wrong,
that the current leisure centre in Belper is a bit tired."
The BATS report also gave reasons why those surveyed did not
want the new supermarket.
One reason was they were worried the store could mean the
destruction of fields and trees, cause flooding, light
pollution and take local shops' business away.
People also feared the development would not fit in with the
Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
The report was sent to the council so it could use the
information in preparing a development brief for the land
between the A6 and the River Derwent, which includes Derwent
Street.
BATS was angry the brief was being prepared with the help of
consultants acting on behalf of Tesco, but the authority said
this was usual.
A spokeswoman said: "The purpose of this brief is to expand
on the policies in the adopted local plan and provide further
detail as to what forms of development will be acceptable.
"It will not contain any specific proposals but is intended
to guide prospective developers in putting together any
planning proposals.
"It is common practice for local planning authorities, given
limited resources, to work in partnership with the private
sector to prepare development briefs."
The completed brief will be passed to the council's planning
board for consideration and, if approved, will then be the
subject of a six-week public consultation.
No definite completion date has been set.
A Tesco spokesperson said no decision would be taken until
the views of "local residents and other interested parties"
were taken into account.
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2 Comments
by Sandra, ilkeston
Tuesday, September 02 2008, 11:54AM
“The main problem is that Belper does not need another supermarket and the independent shops would suffer. Look what Sainsbury's has done to Matlock already. I am shortly to move to Belper and no way do I want to live in another Tesco Town like Ilkeston”
by Paul, Derby
Tuesday, September 02 2008, 9:51AM
“"About 60% of people wanted leisure developments of some kind" Only 70 people were bothered enough to take part in thr first place, so being generous that's 40 people out of a belper population of around 21,000 want more leisure facilities on the site.... Hmmm maybe BATS should wind their necks in. Incidentally I work in Belper and use the gym at the leisure centre. It's cramped, usually too hot and generally tired.”