A supermarket giant has submitted a new planning application to set up shop on the doorstep of their rivals.
Tesco has revealed new plans for the mostly derelict site in the centre of Kirkstall, Leeds – just a stone’s throw away from rivals Morrisons.
Changes to the scheme, which was originally submitted last year, have seen developers take into account Leeds City Council’s aspirations to see a new design and smaller store.
The new plans include a reduction in the height of the buildings, a smaller supermarket and improvements to highways proposals.
A number of improvements are also being proposed as part of the revised scheme, including road widening on Kirkstall Hill and Commercial Road, enhanced pedestrian crossings around the site, improved bus stops with seats and real-time information and new cycling facilities.
The submission comes following a public exhibition last month to view the plans, which are expected to create around 400 new jobs.
Under Tesco’s Regeneration Partnership programme, up to 40 per cent of the proposed jobs will be guaranteed for the local long-term unemployed.
Ann Fitzgerald, who lives in Kirkstall, said: “I fully support the proposals.
“The area is crying out for something like this to happen and we have waited too long for the site to be developed.
“Tesco will bring shopping choice and new jobs to Kirkstall which are badly needed in this recession.”
The company claims that following the exhibition, 62 per cent of residents came out in support of the plans.
Deborah Hayeems, corporate affairs manager at Tesco, said: “We are delighted with the positive response we received from local people at our consultation.
“The clear message was that most people would like us to get on with our new plans – this site has been an eyesore for many years and we’ve got a fantastic scheme to bring it back to life.
“We’ve now submitted our new application and hope to have a decision from Leeds Council early in the new year.”
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