Tesco New Plans Passed but Bridge Lost

Tesco's plans to increase the size of their Whaley Bridge store by about a third by building an extension at the rear have just been passed. This should mean an increase in the range of items for sale, but not a major move to other types of merchandise.

A bigger store may not have more impact on other shops in the town, but it might encourage people to shop locally instead of driving to Macclesfield or Stockport, particularly as fuel costs escalate.

An 'S106' planning agreement will also see improvements to the town funded by Tesco.

But plans for the '2nd Bridge' into Bingswood Industrial Estate, delayed over the last 4 years, suffered a serious blow when United Utilities unexpectedly demanded £1million for their land which is needed for access across the river. This resulted in the loss of Regional funding.

High Peak Council are still holding the £100,000 that Tesco agreed to contribute towards building the bridge when they were given permission for the present store.

If Tesco had originally been allowed to build the size of store they wanted - about twice the area of the present store - they would have paid for a bridge. This was turned down because of loud objections by Labour councillors from New Mills and Tory councillors from Chapel.

"The 2nd Bridge is still a top priority for Whaley" said Councillor Linda Leather.