A SUPERMARKET giant is pushing ahead with plans for a new store in the town and has submitted a planning application.
Tesco, which hopes to build a 40,000sq ft store on the former Opico site in South Road, Bourne, submitted the planning application to South Kesteven District Council on Wednesday.
If approved, the new store will bring around 300 jobs to the town.
The firm hopes to build a store which is energy efficient using sustainable materials and eco-friendly building methods, resulting in a 30 per cent reduction of carbon emissions compared to a similar store.
Tesco corporate affairs manager Nick Gellatly said: "We are delighted to be able to bring forward plans for one of the first Tesco environmental format stores in Lincolnshire.
"If approved, the Bourne store will be at the cutting-edge of sustainable design and reaffirms Tesco's global commitment to reducing energy consumption and green house gases.
"In addition local residents will benefit from new jobs and new shopping choices in the town."
The new eco-store will include a rainwater harvesting process, sustainable ventilation and lighting, and a state-of-the-art combined heat and power system are all part of the plans, as is a recycling strategy that will include six different types of waste being collected, sorted and sent for recycling.
The firm started consultation on the plans in December when representatives of Tesco met with Bourne Town Council. It plans to continue consulting with households in the surrounding area which includes writing to homeowners and conducting door-to-door surveys.
The supermarket said it hoped a decision would be made by the spring and said that if the green light was given, building work could start later this year.
Tesco has bought the site from Anglia Regional Co-operative Society, which had already secured planning permission to build a new Rainbow supermarket and three other shops on the site. Co-op had intended to move staff from its current Rainbow store in Manning Road but chief executive of the society John Chillcott said there were planning implications attached to the sale which might force Rainbow to close.
He is trying to negotiate positions at Tesco for the staff working at Rainbow.
