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The Bradworthy Wind Turbines
Councillor
Christie's Weblog
From your Torridge District Councillor Peter Christie
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17th December '06
The surprise decision by Tesco to apply for a large store at East-the-Water came before the Bideford town council Plans Committee last week – the first time it has been examined by any councillors. Given that the Marsh Farm Inquiry Inspector had come down unequivocally in favour of an East-the-Water site for a large new supermarket and that the principle of a new store that side of the river has already been accepted the committee were really left to consider the size of the shop, its impact on the town centre and what planning gain the town might consider.
As to size I should point out that Torridge District Council wanted a shop of around 1000 square metres at East-the-Water but Tescos have applied for one with a footprint somewhat larger square so there is going to be some difficulty there! A more intractable problem was gauging the impact on the town centre. A Retail Impact Assessment came with the application but this was useless as, having been prepared in November 2005, it made no mention of the new Asda and its effects – a serious omission seeing that it could alter the whole retail pattern in Bideford. As to what the town might get, and bearing in mind how the town council’s suggestions were ignored over Asda, the councillors have asked for a contribution of £5 million to recreational/sports facilities at East-the-Water and the new Bideford College plus the gifting to TDC of land Tesco still own at Marsh Farm to enlarge the Kenwith Valley Nature Reserve. We shall see what happens when it goes to the Torridge Planning Committee.
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