Developers on collision course
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| Cllr Graham Payne |
A DEVELOPMENT company wanting to build a Sainsbury's supermarket in Trowbridge has accused another developer of using a blocking move'.
Barton Finch has teamed up with Sainsbury's to build a supermarket on the former Ushers bottling plant in Conigre while competitor Parkridge has struck a deal to build a Waitrose store on the former Peter Black factory site in Cradle Bridge.
It has emerged only one of the projects can go ahead according to an independent report commissioned by West Wiltshire District Council into the viability of the two schemes.
The Sainsbury's plans were due to be considered in isolation by West Wiltshire District Council's planning authority on Thursday.
Parkridge, whose Waitrose plan was not going to be considered until a later date, requested that the two be looked at simultaneously.
Now both have been deferred until May while the planning officers seek a legal opinion on the matter.
Speaking after the meeting Graham Payne, leader of the council, said: "It is regrettable that a developer is seeking to checkmate another developer in respect of the Brewery site application.
"I would have preferred to see the next piece of the jigsaw puzzle of the development of Trowbridge put in place. Instead we have stalled again."
Barton Finch, the developers behind the Sainsbury's proposal said this week that they remained on target to deliver their scheme despite the deferral caused by "a late blocking move by Parkridge who are seeking to develop the Peter Black site at the southern end of Trowbridge."
Barton Finch director, Robin Barton, said: "Having spent two years working on this scheme with the council, perhaps we can wait three weeks for the next planning committee, but the long suffering people of Trowbridge deserve better."
In response, Parkridge said: "We're certainly not using spoiling tactics. We feel that it is vitally important that the merits of both schemes are considered at the same time.
"We obviously feel there are very strong arguments for our plans for the Peter Black site, which would provide Trowbridge with a vibrant, flagship mixed use scheme and could also kick-start the future development of the former Tesco site."
7:11pm Thursday 24th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Brian on 8:33pm Thu 24 Apr 08
Let them both come, the more competition in a town the size of Trowbridge the better.
Let them both come, the more competition in a town the size of Trowbridge the better.
Posted by: GSXRRRSP, WESTBURY on 10:33pm Thu 24 Apr 08
asda has very poor quality food and i wouldnt shop in it and tesco is to large and the car park is the worst in wiltshire we need a decent supermarket and i would love to see a waitrose but sainsbury's would do.
asda has very poor quality food and i wouldnt shop in it and tesco is to large and the car park is the worst in wiltshire we need a decent supermarket and i would love to see a waitrose but sainsbury's would do.
Posted by: Josey, Nr Westbury on 12:40am Fri 25 Apr 08
Let's not argue about the site - lets look at customer choice in the area and something that will lift the image of Trowbridge. My vote is for Waitrose as there are plenty of Sainsbury's in the area. Waitrose will also be a good name that may just attract a few more decent shops and brands into poor old Trowbridge.
Let's not argue about the site - lets look at customer choice in the area and something that will lift the image of Trowbridge. My vote is for Waitrose as there are plenty of Sainsbury's in the area. Waitrose will also be a good name that may just attract a few more decent shops and brands into poor old Trowbridge.
Posted by: ronnie, deepest wiltshire on 8:55am Fri 25 Apr 08
Waitrose would be good nearest ones at the moment are Sailsbury or Bath.
Sainsbry are in Frome and Bradford on Avon.
Waitrose would be good nearest ones at the moment are Sailsbury or Bath.
Sainsbry are in Frome and Bradford on Avon.
Posted by: walter, wilshur on 9:17am Fri 25 Apr 08
Remember every time a supermarket opens, the cost of the land and construction are added to the prices on the shelves. There is a limit as to how much food the people of Trowbridge need, they are not going to buy and eat more just because there are more outlets.
Remember every time a supermarket opens, the cost of the land and construction are added to the prices on the shelves. There is a limit as to how much food the people of Trowbridge need, they are not going to buy and eat more just because there are more outlets.
Posted by: zippy, Staverton on 11:18am Fri 25 Apr 08
Here we go again!!!
Posted by: andrew, trowbridge on 11:51am Fri 25 Apr 08
[bold]A plea to planning committee[/bold] - the parkridge site is a key benchmark in achieving a line in the sand for the future standard of retail provision in the town, and as mentioned, sainsbury's have a local presence already in melksham and bradford on avon.
The Waitrose application is so fundamental to working toward achieving the diversity of shopping opportunities which Trowbridge deserves and wants.
The presence of sainsbury's over this will add very little to what is already on offer, and I believe be detrimental to improving the currently 2nd division (to put it kindly) shopping portfolio which trowbridge as a town has to offer. I've lived here for only 5 years but to give sainsburys the green light over Waitrose would see me loose all the remaining faith in the town that bought me here.
A plea to planning committee - the parkridge site is a key benchmark in achieving a line in the sand for the future standard of retail provision in the town, and as mentioned, sainsbury's have a local presence already in melksham and bradford on avon.
The Waitrose application is so fundamental to working toward achieving the diversity of shopping opportunities which Trowbridge deserves and wants.
The presence of sainsbury's over this will add very little to what is already on offer, and I believe be detrimental to improving the currently 2nd division (to put it kindly) shopping portfolio which trowbridge as a town has to offer. I've lived here for only 5 years but to give sainsburys the green light over Waitrose would see me loose all the remaining faith in the town that bought me here.
Posted by: kromax, trowbridge on 1:17pm Fri 25 Apr 08
[quote][bold]walter[/bold] wrote:
Remember every time a supermarket opens, the cost of the land and construction are added to the prices on the shelves. There is a limit as to how much food the people of Trowbridge need, they are not going to buy and eat more just because there are more outlets.[/quote] I disagree with that completly Walter, if you havn't noticed the population of Trowbridge and near by areas are expanding and will continue to do so. The cost of development will not reflect the cost on the shelves at all and with increased competition they should reduce. If only one scheme can go ahead then the one with parking would seem to be more sensible although personally I am not a fan of Sainsburys.
walter wrote:
Remember every time a supermarket opens, the cost of the land and construction are added to the prices on the shelves. There is a limit as to how much food the people of Trowbridge need, they are not going to buy and eat more just because there are more outlets.
I disagree with that completly Walter, if you havn't noticed the population of Trowbridge and near by areas are expanding and will continue to do so. The cost of development will not reflect the cost on the shelves at all and with increased competition they should reduce. If only one scheme can go ahead then the one with parking would seem to be more sensible although personally I am not a fan of Sainsburys.
Posted by: Dave, Trowbridge on 1:34pm Fri 25 Apr 08
I also think that the Parkridge site should get the go ahead over the Ushers site, mainly for the following reasons, taking into account I have a degree in Urban Regeneration and work in this sector I think my views will go along with the majority of views on this saga.
> Waitrose will offer a more upmarket retail experience to the local people, as mentioned above. This isn't offered in supermarket terms at the moment.
> Improved accessibility to the River Biss with the creation of a riverside walkway.
> Ecological enhancement of the River Biss (this and the above are fundamental to the river’s regeneration and Vision of Trowbridge / Transforming Trowbridge framework).
> On a personal view I believe the Cradle Bridge site is of more importance than the Ushers site, facing upon the Trowbridge ring road the is a more prominent and focal site.
> This development will link with the imminent start of the Waterside project and will also link with the Shires Gateway project that has just started.
> I believe this development will also offer a more direct link with the Town Centre through the new bridge being built across the river.
> I think it will also kick start the development on the old Tesco site and Castle Place, again this links well with the much bigger project, The Waterside.
> Access to the site is a lot easier and will not invite traffic into the centre of the town, which I can see happening if the Ushers site got given the go ahead.
> More job opportunities are offered through the Cradle Bridge development.
So over all the Parkridge Cradle Bridge site offers a lot more to Trowbridge in general and has many more advantages associated to it. It would be a shame to only see one site given the go ahead, as I believe Trowbridge and the future housing estates and developments planned can provide enough reasoning and evidence for both to be given the go ahead.
Its nice to have two developers fighting to build in the town and I don’t think you can see this as a bad thing, even though there is another 4 weeks until a decision is confirmed, at least we will be having one of the two developers building shortly. It’s a shame other developers haven't shown the same commitment as these two (Old Tesco).
Regards
I also think that the Parkridge site should get the go ahead over the Ushers site, mainly for the following reasons, taking into account I have a degree in Urban Regeneration and work in this sector I think my views will go along with the majority of views on this saga.
> Waitrose will offer a more upmarket retail experience to the local people, as mentioned above. This isn't offered in supermarket terms at the moment.
> Improved accessibility to the River Biss with the creation of a riverside walkway.
> Ecological enhancement of the River Biss (this and the above are fundamental to the river’s regeneration and Vision of Trowbridge / Transforming Trowbridge framework).
> On a personal view I believe the Cradle Bridge site is of more importance than the Ushers site, facing upon the Trowbridge ring road the is a more prominent and focal site.
> This development will link with the imminent start of the Waterside project and will also link with the Shires Gateway project that has just started.
> I believe this development will also offer a more direct link with the Town Centre through the new bridge being built across the river.
> I think it will also kick start the development on the old Tesco site and Castle Place, again this links well with the much bigger project, The Waterside.
> Access to the site is a lot easier and will not invite traffic into the centre of the town, which I can see happening if the Ushers site got given the go ahead.
> More job opportunities are offered through the Cradle Bridge development.
So over all the Parkridge Cradle Bridge site offers a lot more to Trowbridge in general and has many more advantages associated to it. It would be a shame to only see one site given the go ahead, as I believe Trowbridge and the future housing estates and developments planned can provide enough reasoning and evidence for both to be given the go ahead.
Its nice to have two developers fighting to build in the town and I don’t think you can see this as a bad thing, even though there is another 4 weeks until a decision is confirmed, at least we will be having one of the two developers building shortly. It’s a shame other developers haven't shown the same commitment as these two (Old Tesco).
Regards
Posted by: walter, wilshur on 8:51pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Kromax: "The cost of development will not reflect the cost on the shelves at all and with increased competition they should reduce."
Competition? You obviously haven't been reading the allegations of price-fixing between the supermarket chains on everything from dairy products to cigarettes.
Kromax: "The cost of development will not reflect the cost on the shelves at all and with increased competition they should reduce."
Competition? You obviously haven't been reading the allegations of price-fixing between the supermarket chains on everything from dairy products to cigarettes.
Posted by: YetiJoe, Trow on 9:04pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Be good to have both built as having Tesco and Waitrose so close will make that area a complete traffic nightmare.
Good to have a classier chain in the town though.
Be good to have both built as having Tesco and Waitrose so close will make that area a complete traffic nightmare.
Good to have a classier chain in the town though.
Posted by: cindy, darkest Corsham on 6:54am Mon 28 Apr 08
[quote][bold]YetiJoe[/bold] wrote:
Be good to have both built as having Tesco and Waitrose so close will make that area a complete traffic nightmare. Good to have a classier chain in the town though.[/quote] A classy chain in Trowbridge brings to mind questions like "What's a nice shop like you doing in a town like this?"
YetiJoe wrote:
Be good to have both built as having Tesco and Waitrose so close will make that area a complete traffic nightmare. Good to have a classier chain in the town though.
A classy chain in Trowbridge brings to mind questions like "What's a nice shop like you doing in a town like this?"
Posted by: RICK, TROWBRIDGE on 8:50am Mon 28 Apr 08
For goodness' sake! All players really must work together to progress and overcome the cynacism that pervades everything to do with Trowbridge Town Planning!
For goodness' sake! All players really must work together to progress and overcome the cynacism that pervades everything to do with Trowbridge Town Planning!
Posted by: YetiJoe, Trow on 9:45pm Mon 28 Apr 08
How did you know I was a player Rick?
Come to Trowbridge Cindy, we have street lights, no need for dingy dark old Corsham where the shops are still shut Weds pm. :)
How did you know I was a player Rick?
Come to Trowbridge Cindy, we have street lights, no need for dingy dark old Corsham where the shops are still shut Weds pm. :)
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