Tesco bid set for approval

Laura Bagshaw

THE borough council is poised to approve plans for a Tesco Express store on a main road in Bradwell.

Plans for a development on Beccles Road include the demolition of a petrol station and shop but the proposal has attracted a number of objections from local residents and the parish council.

Concerns raised include the increase in noise levels, opening hours, stock delivery times, anti-social behaviour and impact on local businesses. And the Environment Agency has also outlined the need to deal with possible ground contamination at the site.

However, planning officers believe the development would “make a significant contribution to the retail offer in Bradwell.”

They also point out in their report that while there are other independent facilities in the larger Belton and Bradwell area “there appear to be very facilities in this particular location, which is highly populated.”

The new development will mainly sell convenience goods and would see a significant increase in floor space from 72 sq m to 336 sq m.

While the proposed design of the building has been dubbed to be “somewhat utilitarian in nature”, planners reckon it would not be out of place for that location.

Norfolk County Highways initially raised objections over servicing for the store but following correspondence with Tesco that has now been removed.

Bradwell Parish Council consider the development to be “too large for a residential area” and also believes access to the store would be unsafe. Councillors suggest installing a pedestrian crossing with manual traffic lights close to the store.

Members of the borough council's development control committee are expected to approve the plans at Tuesday's meeting subject to conditions such as opening hours and construction hours.

The meeting is starts at 6pm at the town hall.