New ASDA for Kingsway
A new ASDA foodstore is on its way to Quedgeley after Gloucester City Councillors voted unanimously to give it the go-ahead.
Planning committee members approved an application from developer Robert Hitchins Ltd to build the 25,000 sq ft store on a 4.5-acre site at the entrance to the Kingsway estate, off the A38.
The store, one third of the size of the ASDA in Bruton Way, would bring about 230 jobs.
Planning consultant David Keyte from DK Planning told councillors the development would bring a commercial site that's been empty for years into economic use.
''It would also introduce some healthy competition to an area of Gloucester where thousands of homes have been built but where retail choice has so far been limited.'' he said.
City councillor and chair of Quedgeley Parish Council Anna Mozol told the committee: ''Quedgeley needs competition. We need a different type of store. It's what the people of Quedgeley want.''
Planning committee member Cllr Andrew Lewis (Con, Quedgeley Severn Vale) also backed the application. ''If it were to have a really bad effect on Tesco, I would vote against it. But it appears it won't. I went to Tesco the other day and I couldn't get into the car park. It's about time we had a bit more choice in Quedgeley.''
After the meeting a spokesman for Robert Hitchins thanked councillors for being so positive. ''We'd also like to thank the people of Kingsway and Quedgeley for their support - they've been extremely helpful from the start.'' said Senior Development Surveyor Mark Durand.
Oliver Jones, spokesman for ASDA, added: ''We're really pleased with the decision. Local residents have been overwhelmingly supportive of our plans and we look forward to welcoming them to a new store in the near future.
''Perhaps the most important news for the community will be the creation of up to 230 jobs as part of our investment. More information will be available on these in the months running up to the store opening.''
The store will include 239 car parking spaces, a cycle park, recycling area, high-quality design, and attractive landscaping.
Robert Hitchins announced ASDA's interest in Quedgeley in July 2011.
In February 2012, a three-day public consultation event was held to seek feedback when more than 100 people turned up.
Robert Hitchins recently completed the first phase of development at Kingsway local centre which is fully occupied and includes a Tesco Express, chemist, café, estate agent, hairdresser, vet and a Marston's pub/restaurant. The second phase of the local centre, incorporating restaurant and takeaway outlets and healthcare uses, is set to start in June 2013.
In addition, the Quedgeley Urban Village Ltd consortium is constructing sports pitches for community use. And construction of a new community centre for Kingsway is scheduled to begin this spring.
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