Sir – With regard to Tesco s purchase of the Shredded Wheat site, it will be interesting to see the final outcome. The site is clearly a brown field and fits perfectly for the need of housing as envisaged in the sale plan. Yet it is purchased by supermar
Sir - With regard to Tesco's purchase of the Shredded Wheat site, it will be interesting to see the final outcome.
The site is clearly a brown field and fits perfectly for the need of housing as envisaged in the sale plan.
Yet it is purchased by supermarket giant Tesco whose intention must be to develop a massive supermarket or failing that a medium size, or failing that a smaller store depending on how relaxed planning will allow.
Any such development would be in spite of very adequate facilities, some might say an over provision of retail in the district already, particularly by Tesco themselves.
Who will be the winners? Tesco simply on the grounds of pinching market share from existing businesses of all types both in WGC town centre and existing supermarkets including their own nearby. The other winners might be recreational shoppers who may never be satisfied.
Who will be the losers? Those who require affordable housing and any other added complementary development that does not duplicate what we already have. It also puts at risk the compactness of the existing town centre and its business structure there without the need to sprawl beyond planned boundaries as envisaged within the costly and well-consulted district pan.
Will the winner be a powerful and greedy multinational business or democratically elected local government or a national government with its desire for new homes?
Mike Baylis, past chairman, WGC Chamber of Commerce.
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