Speculation that Tesco is behind the controversial plans for a corner shop next to the King Billy pub in Warmley appears to have been confirmed – by the retail giant itself.
In the summer we reported on plans submitted to South Gloucestershire Council by Cordage Estates to demolish part of the King William IV pub and build a convenience shop on land at the side, by the junction of Cadbury Heath Road and Tower Road South. A new access is proposed off Tower Road South.
Because the plans at first included an image showing a Tesco sign, there was speculation that the retail giant was intent on opening there. However, that drawing was swiftly updated on the council’s website with Tesco’s name removed. The Week In was told there had been an “error”.
Now it has emerged that Tesco lodged a proposal earlier this month to install a new ATM, camera and light at the pub although the map submitted with the application shows it as being on the land to the side where the “Tesco Express” store would be.
The application was swiftly withdrawn however after a South Gloucestershire Council planning officer pointed out to Tesco that the application for the building is still under consideration, that “no planning permission has been granted and there is no building there for these items to be attached to, therefore the application cannot be considered”.
The proposals for a convenience store have sparked an outpouring of objections, with various concerns raised, including that the area is already very well served with convenience stores, that the junction is busy and dangerous and that parking problems would be made worse.
Many people have since reiterated their objections to revised plans which seek to address issues raised by the council’s urban design and conservation officers. The new proposals claim that road safety concerns flagged up by the highways officer have also been addressed, with smaller delivery vehicles proposed.
Until recently there was a family-run corner shop, incorporating a post office branch, on the other side of the junction. However, that suddenly closed, as we reported earlier this month (Issue 708) when the Post Office told us that the postmaster had decided to resign as the premises were unavailable and future provision would reflect customer numbers and usage.
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