Supermarket ditches its bid for new town store (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Supermarket ditches its bid for new town store

12:00pm Friday 3rd July 2009 in

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A SUPERMARKET giant has withdrawn its planning application to build a major new superstore in Basingstoke.

The Gazette revealed last September that Tesco had bought the former Smiths industrial site, between The Harrow Way and Winchester Road, to build a new 60,000 sq ft food store.

Following a consultation exercise last autumn, Tesco formally submitted its plans to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in March.

The plan was for a £35million scheme, which, it was said, would have created 450 jobs.

The application prompted 65 comments, including 36 in favour and 25 against.

But the firm has now withdrawn the application.

Melanie Chiswell, Tesco’s corporate affairs manager responsible for Hampshire, said: “The proposals for the new Tesco store a Winchester Road have gained considerable local support.

“However, there are some technical issues that need addressing and, in agreement with the council, we have withdrawn the application to consider the best way to proceed.”

She refused to explain what the technical issues were, but said the company, which has a supermarket in Chineham, was still committed to developing a new store in Basingstoke – although it had to be commercially viable.

“We would like to come to Basingstoke if we can do it,” she said. “We need to make sure we have got everything right.”

Documents show the borough council’s initial concerns included questions about the need for such a store in the area and the possible oversupply of floor space, which could affect the town centre and district centres in Brighton Hill and Chineham.

There were also outstanding highway concerns and a failure to reach agreement over developer contributions to infrastructure, according to the council.