Tesco submits store plan for Bristol site
Supermarket giant Tesco is continuing its six-year battle to build a store in Bristol.
But despite the latest plan for the former Kleeneze and Sealtech sites in Hanham being scaled down from a proposal put forward 16 months ago, it is likely to meet opposition from people worried about its impact on existing shops.
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Tesco has been trying to develop the Anstey's Road land since it bought the Kleeneze site in 2003.
Its plan at the time, which also included some flats, led to a campaign against the scheme.
Tesco later withdrew the application before it was determined by South Gloucestershire Council, whose planning officers had recommended rejection.
But in November, 2007, Tesco put on an exhibition to resurrect its proposal, leading to more complaints that a 45,000 sq ft store would threaten existing shops in both Hanham and Kingswood, as well as causing major traffic problems.
The company said it was the start of a consultation exercise and no plans were submitted at that stage.
Now it has formally started the process and applied for a store with a gross area of 28,000 sq ft predominantly selling food. If approved, it will be staffed by about 150 workers, both full and part-time.
There will also be some workshops for local businesses.
Parking for 230 cars is included, with customer access off Anstey's Road and New Walk.
Delivery lorries will reach the site from Martin's Road.
Felix Gummer, Tesco's corporate affairs manager, said acquisition of the Sealtech site had allowed the company to improve access arrangements and landscaping.
He said: "Since then the store size has been reduced and redesigned to ensure it benefits from our wide experience in environmental measures, many of which are incorporated in the latest designs.
"We believe that a Tesco foodstore in such close proximity to Hanham High Street will help attract shoppers and enable them to use local shops as well."
But Hanham councillor John Goddard said he was worried about the damage a supermarket could inflict on existing businesses.
He said: "Our local high street is suffering enough in the current recession without Tesco adding to its problems.
"It would be a disaster if Hanham or Kingswood were to start seeing a series of further shop closures."
Councillor June Bamford said: "Local roads would face gridlock as a result of shoppers coming from outside the area to use the proposed store and Tesco have yet to properly address these concerns.
"It will be Hanham residents and businesses who will have to suffer the consequences of the new store and these people are our first concern, not the ambitions of a company like Tesco."
Chris Skidmore, prospective parliamentary Conservative candidate for the area, said a survey he carried out showed little support among Hanham people for a supermarket.
He said: "While new jobs in the area are welcome, the results indicated that a new Tesco would do nothing to improve the lives of residents."
25 Comments
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by P.Garland, Hanham village
Monday, April 13 2009, 8:54PM
“The facts are -
We don't need a Tesco
We don't want a Tesco.
Why not go to Bitton, Wick or North Common ? Plenty of old industrial sites for sale there.”
by Dan, Hanham
Friday, April 03 2009, 6:11PM
“Hi,
In response to an earlier comment, I live in Ansteys Rd and I am in full support of the Tescos store!
I have overlooked the current derelict kleenize site for years!
And what Tescos are proposing is a damn sight better than what is there now.
We need to be fed and watered at a price that reflects what is in our wage packets and supermarkets provide that.
It will also create local jobs, reduce carbon emissions and bring prosperity to the area.
(Not just for local shopkeepers).
I get fed up with the ¿Not in my Back yard¿ brigade who seem to have the biggest mouths being the only ones ever heard!
If they had their way we¿d all have to do our shopping in ¿1970 ¿s Akwrights¿.
It is the 21st century. Supermarkets are here to stay, and if small business cannot compete. They should go to the wall.”
by Dean, Hanham
Thursday, April 02 2009, 5:17PM
“Are you all insane!? A brand new tesco store would look insanely better than the pile of rubble that is there now! You all want it to be a nice clean tidy place!? well correct me if im wrong but surely a new tesco store is better looking than a pile of rubble and derelic buildings!?
I understand what you mean about the extra traffic but what about when longwell green had all the new shops and about to open this month a brand new marks and spencers, traffic is not that bad you may have to wait a few minutes at its buisest time!! and its the same with a new tesco in hanham!! and im sure its good if more people come to the area because the little shops like goldings will get more business!! Also it will create a lot more jobs for people especially in this recession!! People saying no must like the look of derelic buildings and piles of rubble more than a nice new building with nice trees plants and grass around it.”
by Justine, Memorial Road, Hanham
Thursday, April 02 2009, 8:50AM
“I am not anti-Tesco in principle but I am concerned about this proposed development. I live in Hanham and work in Kingswood. The main issue I have is the traffic - they are proposing 230 parking spaces with an average stay of 1 hour (tesco's own calculation). It is already difficult to cross Memorial Road safely in the morning to walk to school, due to the volume of traffic. This can only get worse. We already have a rat-run situation in Memorial Rd with cars avoiding the High St due to slow transit times.
Tesco are proposing a store in which you could do your full weekly shop - so you have to drive because even a single person couldn't carry their full weekly shop home.
Development is probably inevitable - tesco have paid the money for the land and likely won't be able to get rid of it in the current recession. I for one will be writing to the council to oppose this particular development and I encourage everybody else to do so. If we haven't made our voices heard we will have no right to complain after the fact.
a note about local traders - they are still there (apart from some of the estate agents), so somebody must be supporting them, my family does. I think the co-op and the convenience store will be the obvious casualties. I hope Goldings hardware will be spared because they are fabulous.”
by Ben, Hanham
Wednesday, April 01 2009, 2:29PM
“It certainly is the residents complaining! And idiot comments like Ian's and Tony's are illinformed and pathetic opinion.
I haven't spoken to anyone in Hanham, or those in the immediate impacted area Martins Road/New Walk/Memorial Road/Anstays Road/Hunters Road/High Street that want this tesco's store.
As for the locals not supporting the shops and stating a case about the Grocers closing - I know for fact the one near Goldings shut due to him retiring to look after his wife. It is sickening that people are now twisting this to their own ends.
As repeatedly stated - we have the Co-Op and Lidl.
The butchers at Hanham Conham is brilliant - and I recommend it to all residents - the meat supply is of far superior quality than those at the supermarkets - and he will actually take the time to discuss and recommend.
Yes, we have many Estate Agents, but consider this - what has made the most money in recent years? I wonder why then there are so many!
As for the "Off The Leash" kids: where? There are a few kids down by the Co-Op, but they've never caused trouble that I've seen. Having grown up in Hanham in the late 80/s early 90s I would have been one of these "Off The Leash" kid for Skateboarding and chatting with my friends on street corners. We did not cause damage to property and I don't see kids doing this now either.
Coupled with that: the illinformed gentleman should do a bit of research into what defines a village. Hanham IS a village.
We also have a Tesco's in Weston's Way, just off of Cock Road in Kingswood.
Also, remember that Tesco's is the Supermarket that would not pledge to support the Animal Wellfare as proposed by Fernley-Whittingstall/Oliver and the proposal to support the Farmers better.
All in all, it seems on here the residents of Hanham saying "No!" and people who don't overly have any idea or have any right to comment saying "Yes".
It's our Community, we will say what we want!”
by Clair, Hanham, Hanham
Saturday, March 28 2009, 4:59PM
“Hi
I have created a "say no to Tesco Hanham" group within Facebook as a central place for people to voice their concerns and arrange any meetings. feel free to join.
Thanks”
by North Street Trader, Bedminster
Friday, March 27 2009, 8:13PM
“Gareth, warmley - Have you been to Bedminster since Asda opened in 1984? The arrival of the store, caused the collapse of a once thriving shopping area. The closer you get to the Asda, the less chance of any retail business surviving - and this is borne out by the transcient nature of many businesses around it..
No one knows what to do with the high number of empty shops "to Let".
Come and see your theory in action!”
by Concerned, Hanham
Friday, March 27 2009, 2:59PM
“Ian from "ex hanham" I take it you have now moved from hanham to move somewhere where there isnt any " off the leash" teenagers, somewhere like St Pauls or Stokes Croft. Try walking through there at night time and im sure you will find teenagers drinking water and acting saintly.. NOT!!!!
you clearly have no community spirit. Its people like you who are the reason for the down fall of local traders because you dont support them. Yes there are few food stores on Hanham High Street, but there are plenty on Hanham common and up Kingswood, or are you too lazy to walk to these places to find out? And for your information, I live in a quiet part of hanham where there are no kids drinking for more "fun" and that has nothing to do with this topic of conversation. Glad to see the back of you!”
by Gareth, St George
Friday, March 27 2009, 9:52AM
“Improve the access and this supermarket and its parking will save Hanham. Look at Bedminster when Asda opened. It regenerated what was becoming a run down shopping street. What would Kingswood be without its supermarkets and associated parking! Like it or not - people want to be able to drive and park easily.”
by me, yate
Friday, March 27 2009, 2:02AM
“NO WAY we love you but you cannot have any more cars in and out of there ... sorry x”