The issue of a new supermarket in Stone just got a whole lot more interesting! Trent Vision Trust want to see a new supermarket built at their proposed development at the Fillybrooks instead of at Westbridge Park.
Their plan is to develop land next to Stone fire station and they say this is the best spot for a new supermarket as it has greater connectivity with the town centre by a new footpath and bridge over the River Trent. They also say that a supermarket off the A34 would not add extra traffic into the town and on to the ring road. A River Park and nature reserve would also be created, as well as a footbridge over the A34 aimed at linking Walton to the new development and the town centre.
The Trust started a consultation today (Friday 1st February) with a number of exhibitions planned in and around the town and also launched a website HERE.
Trent Vision Trust founder Oliver Dyke said at a launch of the consultation last night: “Currently, the Local Plan only has one site identified for mixed-use development, and that’s Westbridge Park. We want to say to the people of Stone that there is a possible alternative site for a new supermarket. And we want to work with the borough council to make this happen.”
Development architect Pat Redmond from CTD Architects said: “We believe there is an alternative and there are strong reasons why our scheme has distinct advantages. It’s much better connected to the town centre than existing routes, it will open up a new River Park and nature reserve and encourage people into the town centre.”
The borough council needs the funds from selling part of Westbridge Park to a supermarket to deliver its plans for new leisure facilities. In the Westbridge Park consultation leaflet, the council addresses the issue of supermarket interest in the Filleybrooks development. It states: “There is interest from a supermarket operator for a site and store off the A51 at Aston and another for a site next to the fire station. This would not deliver the developer contributions that are required to build a leisure centre.”
At the Trent Vision Trust launch last night, Oliver Dyke said that Section 106 funds from a supermarket off the A34 could be used to go towards the cost of new leisure facilities in the town. But would they be enough?
The Stafford Borough Local Plan is in its final consultation stage before going before a Government inspector in public in the summer. That consultation will end on 28th February. Trent Vision Trust will provide the results of their consultation in March before drawing up a more detailed plan for consultation in April. Their hope is they can influence the Local Plan even at this late stage.
Here are the Trent Vision Trust consultation events:
- 1st February – The Crown Hotel, 10am – 4pm
- 2nd February – Farmers’ market (outside Costa), High Street, 9am – close
- 4th February – Moddershall Village Hall, 5pm – 8pm
- 6th February – The Lamb (back room), Walton, 2pm – 8pm
- 7th February – Yarnfield Village Hall, 5pm – 8pm
- 8th February – Barlaston Village Hall, 5pm – 8pm
There is lots more information on the Trent Valley Trust website, as well as a feedback form to give your thoughts.
The Westbridge Park consultation is also under way and there are consultation events planned for late February / early March. Lots more information HERE.
16 comments
Jayne Bates
It’s a while since the last reply in this discussion but I thought I’d let you know about an idea we saw when visiting Amsterdam recently. In the museum park – an open area – there was a branch of the Albert Hein supermarket but it was entirely underground. The only evidence it was these was the entrance with a lift and escalator. Could this be considered as an option? We would still then have all the area above to use for recreational purposes.
Jamie Summerfield
That’s a really interesting idea, Jayne!
richard evans
just looking at the picture of your leaflet i can see a fair few changes to it that what was shown at the lamb last week. He has covered up the “save westbridge park” and added in his proposed NHS centre and supermarket. When i asked him about both he said the supermarket would be a similar size to morrisons and there had been no interest to date from the health authoritys
Kate
Just Like Westbridge Park then? Nothing new just a pool and a supermarket.No new scout hut just a refurbishment no new guide hut at all no new playground just a lick of paint
Ben Alcock
Furthermore you fail to mention that TVT are proposing a supermarket 4 times bigger than the food store proposed at WBP yet what NEW things are the TVT giving Stone???
Ben Alcock
Nothing New?? Do you have any idea of how much money they are planning to invest on WBP? There are planning to spend 6 million pounds on a new pool and leisure center and build a new girl guides hut.
A lick of paint to the playground? where are you getting this incorrect information from – decisions have not been finalised as to what provisions will be catered for at WBP, this will be determined once the responces from the leisure survey have been analsyed.
Dave
It says they are giving the Guides new facilites, its on the leaflet? There is a Pick nick area, tree lined roads, extra grass at the front, a brand new swimming pool, a circular walk by the river, brand new gym and rooms for classes and “improved” kids play areas for multiple age groups, and a pond. How can you say that is nothing?
Kate
The only new thing is a pool and a supermarket as i said before! They promised a new childrens play area to replace the one they took away. that isn’t on the plan. They promised a BMX Skate park for teenagers . That isn’t on the plan. Trees we already have. A fantastic gym equipped with up to date aperatus which cost thousands a few months ago.there’s no new Guide facility on the plan. £6m all provided by selling our heritage to a supermarket they are not giving us anything. They should be giving us all this anyway without selling out to the highest bidder.
Ben Alcock
Kate, I am very rarely left speechless, but your comments are bizarre.
The BC have stated on the leaflet that there will be a new play area and a new teenage area and there is currently a leisure use survey in circulation asking residents what else they would like to see at WBP. They are hardly giving Stone nothing and 6 million is not an insignificant amount especially when you consider that the majority of councils are closing leisure centers not opening state of the art new ones.!!
What heritage are you referring too……. WBP used to be a council tip??? The only heritage you are likely to find in there is an old fridge.
If Stafford BC really did want to sell the land to the highest bidder as you claim, they could selll the whole land to a supermarket, but they are not!!! They are selling off a small portion of the site to enable the building of a 1400 sqm food store (similar size to the Aldi) This is a small price to pay when you consider what Stone will gain as a result.
Your comments clearly show that you are either very young or very naive and therefore I will refrain from picking any more holes in your comments.
mark
Kate, i’m confused by your post. Do you not think this development will improve the existing leisure facilties and the attractiveness of WBP? The redevelopment of WBP will also improve / provide additional play facilities and a new scout hut. The plans show a childrens play area and a teenage play area. The plans also state that the scout hut could be extended to accomodate the guides. The BC have not yet determined the exact facilities that will be provided at WBP because this needs to be informed by a leisure needs survey which all stone residents will be consulted on shortly. What heritage are you referring to? WBP has no historical significance, it is merely an area of underutilised, unattractive greenspace. Would you prefer WBP to be left as it currently is? And where would you propose to put the new foodstore thats required? I’m struggling to understand your opinion that your getting nothing? Also, in these times of austerity how do you expect the BC to provide the leisure facilities that are now being proposed without private sector funding. During the late 90s and early 2000 we’ve enjoyed times of prosperity and yet seen a gradual decline in the state of WBP, how do you expect this to be reversed in these times of austerity. I would also be grateful if you could explain your views to my 10 year old godson, i’m sure he will be equally perplexed by your post.
Dave
Kate – people like you are the reason we are in a Global Financial Crisis. You want everything for nothing and dont appreciate what is given. “The only new thing is a pool”. Really? “They should be giving us all this anyway”. What planet have you been on for the last 5 years – we are in a recession, the council has no money. They are finding ways to provide us and our children with something we need without us all having to pay. Other retailers build on land around Stone and other shops open, the Food Fest. borrows the park off the council a few days a year but what do they contribute? Certainly not the £6,000,000 that a food provider will. And by the way, describing Westbridge park as our Heritage is questionable: It used to be a rich families home and then it was a rubbish tip until that was grassed over. There is more to my Heritage than that Luv!
Pebbles
Hi Chris – are you Chris Tibbitts again?
Chris
No, another Chris, who are you? What do you think about the TVT plan anyway Pebbles?
mark
Where would the supermarket be located? Given that most of the land nearest to the Canal and the road frontage is within Flood Zone 3, which has the highest probability of flooding, the most suitable location for the supermarket would be where the housing and medical centre is proposed or community fire station? A supermarket operator will demand a road frontage, as such it needs to be located on the frontage of Stafford Road or on the A34. If its to be fronted on the A34, it also needs to be accessed off the A34. This creates an additional problem….the Highways Agency. The Highways Agency key objective is to keep the strategic road network (A roads) moving. Another access off the A34, so close to the roundabout will not be well received by the HA. WBP will be more commercially attractive to an operartor than this site because it is located immediately adjacent to the town centre. It has a road frontage and it allows dual trips to be made e.g. pop in after a work out in the gym etc. Also, a supermarket in the areas that i have suggested would be further away from the town centre than the supermarket proposed at WBP, therefore, it performs less well in terms of the sequential assessment. In addition, in my humble opinion, i believe this area is a lot more attractive than WBP. Finally, the fact that this site has been muted for 10 years and has not been subject of a planning permission suggests to me that this site is not supported. Also the area is currently unallocated. therefore, in planning terms its also less preferable than WBP.
Only along the frontage of WBP is within flood zone 3, the leisure centre (and this side of WBP) is within flood zone 2 and the remaining area is not within the floodplain. This information is based on the Environment Agencys floodmaps and can easily be checked.