Tesco to submit plan for new store

Supermarket giant Tesco is to submit plans for a store in Tenbury Wells creating 180 jobs. Malvern Hills District Council confirmed it was expecting the application to arrive today.

The supermarket giant wants to build the store on the town's cattle market.

If the application gets the go-ahead it will mean 180 full and part-time jobs.

But Sarah Thompson, chairman of the town's Chamber of Trade, said the plan could spark fears over flooding, the effect on independent shops and huge delivery lorries coming over the town's ancient bridge.

She added: "There is not a lot we can say at this stage but it is a worry on what impact it is going to have on the town."

The proposed Tenbury store would be 15,000 sq ft net sales space.

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager at Tesco, said: "Tesco is going to submit a planning application for a new environmental format store on the site of the cattle market in Tenbury Wells.

"We will now be using the council's own consultation period to speak further with local stakeholders and the people of Tenbury Wells in order to gather feedback on the suggested scheme — and we will feed these comments into the application where possible.

"If the plans are approved, the store will provide greater choice and accessibility to supermarket shopping for people living in the area and create around 180 full and part-time jobs for local people."

Phil Grove, leader of MHDC, said: "If the plans are submitted there will be a consultation process."

A public meeting to discuss the plans is set to take place at the community centre behind the Regal on Wednesday at 7pm.