Desborough in Northamptonshire is to have a new Tesco supermarket built on an old shoe factory site in the town, after the retail giant received planning permission for its scheme last night.
The plan to transform the former Lawrence Factory site on Harborough Road into a new 17,664 sq ft outlet was initially given backing by an official report by Kettering Borough Council and was yesterday given full approval by the council‘s full planning committee.
Around 120 full and part time jobs and 100 new parking spaces will be created by the construction and Tesco claims that the building will be in keeping with the local architecture and will be made using local building materials.
Louise Gosling, Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco, said: “We‘re delighted that officers have approved the plans. We believe the former Lawrence Factory site is an ideal location for our store.
“Because it‘s so close to the town centre, it will draw more shoppers into the heart of the town who will be encouraged to use other services on the high street.”
Discussions surrounding the future of the disused area have been ongoing for a number of years with a 2009 report finding that neither a mixed use or residential conversion would be financially viable for the former factory site.
Traffic improvements will be completed by Tesco as part of the construction and the grocer is also applying for separate planning permission to build a new petrol station along with the store.
Tesco claims its plans have wide support within the local community and points towards an expression of support signed by 700 residents.
Former Town Councillor and Chairman of the Desborough Town Centre Partnership commented: “Desborough has an amazing past and with this development, it could have an amazing future.”
