Waitrose plan submitted to council (From Brentwood Weekly News)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting BWNNEWS to 80360 or email us »
Waitrose plan submitted to council
11:15am Thursday 21st June 2012 in Chelmsford News
PLANS for a new supermarket that could create up to 180 jobs and bring another big name to Chelmsford have been submitted.
Waitrose has put in a planning application to Chelmsford Council that would see a food store open in the city in 2015.
The move comes after the retailer reached an agreement with Royal Mail that would see the existing sorting office in Victoria Road redeveloped to make way for the store.
Royal Mail intends to relocate its delivery services to Montrose Road, with the enquiry office for customers moving to the mail centre in Winsford Way.
If those plans are approved, it could move to the new premises by the end 2014.
The Waitrose plans also include a number of residential properties, small business units, about 240 car parking spaces and a new community centre.
Grant Hobday, Waitrose development surveyor, said: “We have been really encouraged by the fantastic response to our proposals and the submission of our application is another major step forward.
“Chelmsford already has a new John Lewis to look forward to and we would welcome the opportunity to add to the investment and new jobs being generated in the city.”
Roy Whitehead, leader of Chelmsford City Council, added: “It’s very good news. We’ve been talking about it for years but these things take time.
“It’s creating jobs and bringing something back that residents were very upset to lose when it closed first time round.
“The plans are very attractive and will be a plus in that part of the city.”
More than 99 per cent of people who recorded their feedback at a public exhibition in March support the plans in principle. Of the 265 comment forms received, 205 (77 per cent) fully support the proposal and 57 (22 per cent ) support the proposal with reservations.
Comments about the application can still be made until July 13.
Write to Neil Jordan, planning officer, Chelmsford City Council, Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1JE, quoting application reference 12/00833/FUL.
Alternatively, submit comments online at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ planning. Search for application reference number 12/00833/FUL, go to the comment section and then click on make a comment.
