Tesco plan clears final hurdle
A SUPERMARKET'S bid to build a new store in Bourne has passed the final hurdle after the Government has not called in the plans.
Tesco was granted permission to build an 4,920sqm eco-store in South Road, Bourne, by South Kesteven District councillors in May subject to a call-in by the Secretary of State.
The secretary of state has conditionally approved the plans and the scheme was given the go-ahead on Tuesday.
Tesco has already said that it hopes to start work on building the store in the autumn but says this latest development will allow the supermarket giant to announce a clear timetable soon.
Spokesman for the chain Nick Gellatly said: "We are delighted that our plans now have the Secretary of State's seal of approval.
"This means we can start to tie off the loose ends on our construction programme and we hope to be able to announce a clear timetable in the coming weeks."
The chain was given permission to build an eco-store, which will incorporate carbon reduction technology and rainwater harvesting, along with a 318- space car park, cash machine and recycling facilities.
Builders are expected to take six months to put up the store, which was welcomed in The Local last week by Bourne mayor Pet Moisey and vice-chairman of Bourne chamber of trade Paul Ross.
The supermarket chain bought the former Opico site from the Anglia Regional Co-Operative Society last year. The Co-op received planning permission in 2008 to build a new store on the site.
The current Tesco plans had been objected to by rival supermarket Sainsbury's, which is looking to extend its store in Exeter Street, Bourne.
The new Tesco store is also going to have an effect on the Co-op's Rainbow store in Manning Road, Bourne, as rules dictating how much food retail is in the town come into force. As the Co-op sold on the land to Tesco, it will give up the right to sell food at the Manning Road site.
The Co-op is tight-lipped over its plans for the Rainbow store but it has had discussions to take on the empty Budgens store in the Burghley Centre. The lease is owned by Waitrose.
A Waitrose spokesman said: "We are in discussions with another food retailer who wants to take over the lease of that unit."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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