Tesco's multi-million master-plan for Belper is revealed
TESCO today said its multi-million pound bid to build a new store in Belper would create 400 jobs.
The supermarket giant has, for the first time, revealed full details of its plans which, it says, would feature a new "sports quarter" for the town, including a new ground for Belper Town Football Club, if its scheme for the Meadow's Edge area, off Derwent Street, gets the go-ahead.
And the company confirmed it intends to build a relief road from Morrisons roundabout, by the River Derwent, to the A6 at The Triangle.
But not everyone is happy at the announcement.
Protest group Belper Against Tesco was formed after it became clear that the company was planning a development in the town. It says the master-plan is a smoke screen, as many of the facilities being offered already exist and would be moved into new buildings to make way for the scheme.
The group said it had taken legal advice and would be fighting the development "all the way".
Members fear it would take business away from the town centre, cause flooding problems and infringe on the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
Chairman Vickie Minion said large supermarkets had already damaged the economy in three other Derbyshire towns.
She said: "In Heanor, Matlock and Long Eaton supermarkets have caused large numbers of stores in the traditional town centres to shut down.
"Why do Tesco have to have this one-size-fits-all policy?
"They need to understand that they must compromise on size and scale."
Tesco's regional affairs manager Eoin Dardis said a planning application was expected to go to Amber Valley Borough Council by the end of the year – possibly even as early as autumn.
He said the company would be careful to make sure the plans fitted in with the world heritage site and that it was keen to ensure that Belper town centre did not lose out.
Mr Dardis said: "We could be seeing additional businesses being brought into the town.
"There would be free parking there so people could do their weekly shop and then walk into town.
"The linkages between ourselves and the town centre are critical."
He added that the relief road would take heavy traffic away from outside shops in Bridge Street and Chapel Street
This would make it a more pleasant area, he said.
Mr Dardis said the plans meant that Belper Town FC would need to move to make way for the relief road but that it would get new floodlights, a stand, more parking and a new practice pitch as a result. He said: "We have been in contact with the football club for sometime.
"With new facilities will, hopefully, come the chance to move up the divisions."
New hockey, tennis and cricket facilities are included in Tesco's plans. It wants to knock down the current library on Bridge Street to make way for the relief road and build a new one off Derwent Street.
And it said a new community hall would be built for the town's Methodist Church.
Tesco is holding a public display of its plans at Firestone House, Derwent Street, on Thursday, from 2pm to 8pm, Friday, noon to 6pm, and Saturday, July 18, 10am to 2pm.
9 Comments
by justy40
Tuesday, June 14 2011, 1:02PM
“waitrose would be far classier and tasteful or asda at a push why tesco they are taking over and im fed up of seeing them and there tacky clothes ect”
by not happy, belper
Friday, July 17 2009, 2:34PM
“just got to beeston near nottingham and look to see what tescos can do to distroy a town , they moved in bulldozed then packed up lwaving a big empty space. the council now gets no money from rates and all the smaller shops are closing its becoming a ghost town. but tescos did buold a new job centre! If you want tescos goto alfreton or sinsburys at riply. all we need is morrisons expanding and a better car park set up. if tescos really want to help why not redevelope summerfield or coop as that would help the town and tescos . It will never happen as is at the moment . tescos will just leave it to grow weeds .”
by David, Belper
Friday, July 17 2009, 1:55PM
“I think that the whole idea of a Tesco in Belper is abhorrent. You only have to look at the mess and disruption to traffic that has been caused in Alfreton by having a Tesco there (also the building is ugly).
Look what has happened in Matlock with Sansburies. It¿s no coincidence that local & small businesses have closed and that that through traffic is directed past Sansburies
It seem like the whole A6 corridor is slowly being attacked ¿ Bakewell is not what it was, Matlock has suffered ¿ now Belper. No thanks.
As for a library, Belper was granted several millions for this some years ago - what happened to that money?
Definitely Not Happy”
by Yes Please, Belper
Friday, July 17 2009, 12:10PM
“I don't see what all the fuss is about - we need a better supermarket, Bridge Street needs a relief road, we all need more parking spaces, the new community centre and Library will be a bonus and who else has got the money to do all this for Belper? Let Tesco shell out and let's all benefit - don't stick your heads in the "heritage" sand and let this opportunity pass by.”
by Not happy belper, Belper
Friday, July 17 2009, 11:06AM
“Do you want it on your door step in duffield? theres more openland plus very few supermarkets so maybe it would benifit duffield more so?”
by Happy, Duffield
Saturday, July 11 2009, 12:45PM
“I would prefer a Sainsburys though!”
by Happy, Duffield
Saturday, July 11 2009, 12:44PM
“I think this is a good idea, its going to be over the back so not changing any of the landscape in the actual town, also, the idea of a road round the back to the triangle is much needed. The morrisons island is a nightmare and the traffic through Belper is crazy all the time. Building this tesco will create jobs, a better ground for Belper Town FC and also give people more choice than Morrisons (which i think is a terrible supermarket) or Somerfield where the prices are simply ridiculous!
Cant wait!”
by Scarlett, Belper
Saturday, July 11 2009, 11:31AM
“Can't wait ! it will save me having to drive to Heanor and Alfreton to a decent supermarket !”
by Major Chord, Littleover
Saturday, July 11 2009, 11:21AM
“Yes, every major store needs labour to make it work. But does Belper need Tesco to stop it working?
Belper has developed a diverse and attractive town centre, embracing small businesses and larger ones alongside. In rcent years it has come alive. But my fear is that Belper will snarl up with a Tesco Store and the businesses built up by smaller traders will suffer. The location of the COOP and Morrisons works well to support the current smaller stores. This new Tesco store will not.”