Superstore plans unveiled

RETAIL giant Sainsbury's has revealed more details of its multi-million pound regeneration scheme at the Churnet Works in Leek.

As well as a new store and petrol station, which will create up to 350 jobs, the proposals include 136 apartments, 26 houses, warehouses and business units.

Sainsbury's announced last month that it had bought the 24-acre Macclesfield Road site, which houses a number of small businesses.

The firm has pledged to do what it can to accommodate or relocate current tenants.

Regional development surveyor Michael Adenmosun 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 will be attracted into the town."

The plans are due to go on public display next week.

A 40,000 sq ft Sainsbury's food store will be joined by a 12-pump petrol station and more than 450 parking spaces, while the houses and apartments will be a mixture of one to four-bedroom homes with parking and open spaces for residents.

The proposals also include three retail warehouses and a number of business and employment units, which the firm said could be used to re-house current tenants.

Sainsbury's said the site will be sympathetically landscaped.

Brian Johnson, president of Leek Chamber of Trade, said local retailers would welcome the new development as long as it doesn't take business away from the town centre.

He said: "I haven't had a detailed look at the plans but the artist's impression looks very nice.

"Our concern is that the site doesn't become an out-of-town shopping park with other retailers located there, which would take footfall away from a town centre."

He added: "We feel something that should be looked at seriously is a park and ride scheme."

Sainsbury's is holding a public exhibition in the Trent Room, at the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council offices on Stockwell Street, on Friday, July 10, from 10am to 4.30pm, and Saturday, July 11, from 10am to 4pm.

Members of Sainsbury's development team will be on hand to answer questions and hear people's views.