162 homes planned as Sainsbury's reveals future

DETAILED plans of the multi-million redevelopment of the Churnet Works site have been unveiled by Sainsbury's.

The company – which has purchased the whole site on Macclesfield Road – will build a new foodstore of 40,000 square feet and a 12 pump petrol station.

The site will also includes 26 houses and 136 apartments, three retail warehouse units along with a number of business and employment units.

The entire development site will be landscaped with public open spaces, safe pedestrian links and good vehicle access.

The plans will be on display at a public exhibition, which will be held in The Trent Room, at the Moorlands council offices in Stockwell Street, Leek.

The exhibition will take place on Friday July 10 between 10am and 4.30pm and on Saturday July 11 between 10am and 4.00pm.

Members of Sainsbury's development team will be available to answer questions and to hear people's views regarding the development proposals.

People are invited to view the plans and provide feedback, which will be considered before a planning application is finalised and submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

Michael Adenmosun, Sainsbury's regional development surveyor, said: "The development will help with the regeneration of this part of Leek, providing new homes, creating employment and improving the town's overall shopping offer.

"By increasing local food shopping choice for the residents of Leek, we will be encouraging more people to remain in the town for their weekly or monthly shopping. The resulting retention of local custom will also benefit the existing traders in the town centre, while people living outside of Leek will be attracted into the town.

"Extensive consultation with the public will help us to finalise our plans and ensure our proposals provide a full range of benefits to the community."

Following the exhibition the plans will remain on display for residents to scrutinise.

Feedback can be left via a comments book or response card available at the exhibition or by visiting www.sainsburysleek.co.uk.

The proposed houses and apartments will be a mix of one to four bedroom homes with parking.

The proposed Sainsbury's foodstore and petrol station is expected to create up to 350 jobs.

The new foodstore will include more than 20,000 Sainsbury's products and a 450 customer car park. Leek Chamber of Trade and Commerce has secured a briefing for members of the Leek business community with representatives from Sainsbury's.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday July 7 at the Central Club, Market Street, Leek.