Denbigh Tesco store given the green light

Sep 3 2008 By David Simister

PLANS to transform Denbigh with a new Tesco supermarket have been given the go-ahead today [September 3] after being discussed at a county council meeting.

The application to build the new store in Station Yard were green-lighted at the county council’s Planning Committee meeting this morning when 21 of the panel’s 25 members voted in favour of the proposals.

"I am always being asked by residents when it’s going to be happening. Denbigh is in desperate need of a development like this, and would have been at risk of stagnating and losing out without it" said Denbigh councillor Raymond Bartley.

"I know there are some people who oppose it but the vast majority of people in Denbigh want this development, so let’s cater for them. The type of retail which the new store will bring in is the kind of retail which is not in Denbigh at the moment, so it will be a boost to the town."

The new supermarket, which will be accompanied by 16 other retail outlets, could create up to 250 jobs for the area and give shoppers an alternative to the Morrisons supermarket, currently the only bulk food supplier in the town.

Earlier this year the application was also given the blessing of Denbigh Town Council, after 8 of the 12 councillors voted to support the scheme.

Leicester-based developers Cathco Property Group, who own the site, are also set to announce more details of the smaller retailers set to join Tesco on the site, including some nationally-known brands.

"I’m delighted with the result, which is great news for Denbigh in the current economic climate" said Nigel Dick, Director.

"We’ve had tremendous support so far and councillors voted overwhelmingly for the plans, so we will continue working with them to get work started as quickly as possible."

The supermarket application will also be discussed again later this year by county councillors before work starts on the project, to quell concerns about recreational land which could be given over for the development.

Cathco purchased the property from previous owners Somerfield in September 2006, five months after the town’s Kwik Save store closed its doors.