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Whittlesey retail park scheme could bring 300 jobs
Whittlesey vision plans for Gildenburg and Lattersey
ABOUT 300 jobs could be created in Whittlesey as part of a new retail and leisure venture in the town.
The ambitious scheme has been devised by Whitacre Management and would include a new supermarket and other commercial and leisure opportunities on a 120 acre site.
A pub/restaurant chain has also shown interest in opening a branch in the planned development in Eastrea Road.
The venture could also involve the creation of a 54 acre country park located near Gildenburgh Water in the east of Whittlesey.
The plans for the supermarket and park have been unveiled less than four months after a separate planning application for 460 homes and a new Tesco supermarket, to be located on the other side of Eastrea Road, were submitted to Fenland District Council by Harrier Developments.
Bruce Smith, agent for Whitacre Management, said the scheme would breathe life back into the town.
He said: “I was born and raised in Whittlesey. I have an emotional attachment to the town.
“I think this will provide Whittlesey with a real boost.
“The country park would be given to the district council, and being so close to Gildenburgh Water, is likely to attract thousands of people.
“The plan is to not only create the new park for the town, but also provide leisure retail opportunities - for example with retail space near Gildenburgh Water there maybe water sports shops.
“The new supermarket, alongside the other retail and leisure spaces, will also help create hundreds of jobs for the town. We also think that the development will give the opportunity to expand in the future.”
Councillor Derek Stebbing, Whittlesey town councillor and Fenland district councillor, said: “Whittlesey definitely needs a new supermarket, and Eastrea Road is a good location.
“I don’t think there is room for two new supermarkets though.
“Both schemes bring something different - the Tesco plan brings houses, which will be attractive to new prospective residents, while a country park will be attractive to existing residents.
“We definitely need new park land but I don’t know which scheme will get the go ahead.”
The Harrier Developments plans, which would see a new large development near Bassenhally Farm in Whittlesey, were submitted to Fenland District Council in April.
The proposals, which will go before the council’s planning committee next month, include around 460 homes, a 70 bed nursing home, a community centre and public open space on land between Eastrea Road and Drybread Road.
The Tesco store and filling station is expected to create up to 200 jobs for town residents if it is given planning permission.
What do you think about these plans?
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Comments
There are 15 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
skelley
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 11:35 PMThe Sainsbury plan looks really good. Just what the town needs. And with the extra retail units and country park this is really exciting.
ladyska
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 01:20 PM"Whittlesey is a pure English town ". well It's in England true but PURE? hahahaha don't make me laugh!
Roger LeChat
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 07:49 AMBTW Gideon..Just read comment #1 to know that some parts of Whittlesey are most certainly in the 19th century.
Roger LeChat
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 07:47 AMIt is not just a bridge Whittlesey needs it's a bypass, even Thorney has one, combined with a bridge or an underpass for the railway this would make life much easier, given the undoubted rise in through traffic. This was the top priority at the recent council elections, now let's see you honour those promises.
AliV
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 11:35 PM@8 - 2004 actually! http:www.peterboroughtoday.co.uknewsenvironment_2_17112roads_long_suffering_drivers_welcome_flyover_news_1_152705
AliV
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 11:30 PMIt is about time we got a decent supermarket in Whittlesey - it is a pain having to travel to Peterborough to shop all the time. And you're right about the bridge - the train situation is only getting worse.
Freddievonklinkabottom
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 10:34 PM@5 u have no clue , Whittlesey is a pure English town , I have visited there , no mistaking u r in England there ! Lovely town , I hope something does get approved as march seems to dominate fenland , !!
whittlesey75
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 09:08 PMthe bridge was to be bult by 2010 over kings dyke and that was in the ET back in 2005 lol
This is a rubbish website
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 08:50 PMSurely all this interest is good news for the locals? Although I still can't believe why Whittlesea people are not campaigning for a Kings Dyke bridge over the railway line.
eggcraft
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 08:38 PMLook, if we have to put up with a Tesco on every corner then so should you
Lads Excellent in Training
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 07:51 PMWhittlesey desperately needs anything that would tempt it to enter the 19th Century.
Irene
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 06:15 PMSo with this idea, that'll make 4 plans that have been put on the table. Are we ever going to get anything? Whittlesey is dying on it's feet ... market town ... yeah right!!! Let's put Whittlesey back on the map. Let's have both developments in Eastrea Road ... what an impact that would have on the lives of residents and visitors and 2 eyesores at one of the main gateways to Whittlesey, would be forever gone.
whittlesey75
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 06:08 PMWhittlesey does need another supermarket and as for the comments made by sosaid my elderly parents used to shop in march tesco but with cuts in the bus service can't shop there anymore some people must remember that there are a lot of elderly in whittlesy that dont drive and can't hop on two buses to hampton with frozen shopping.
purewhitesugar
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 06:07 PMWhat a NIMBY...... Let all stop breeding, no need then for new houses. Tell your wives to stop work and stay at home so they are able to visit local shops that close at 17:00 at the latest. Change is part of life and the human condition. I'm fed up of finding the food I want to buy in Whittlesey has sold out. I want to see a new supermarket, houses, and leisure opportunities. I also want the transport links improved. Why does the bus service from Peterborough to Whittlesey stop at 18:40? If traffic is to be reduced then the people need other options.
sosaid
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 04:48 PMMr Derek Stebbings should try to get out of Guildenburgh Crescent at rush hour or the weekends and then he and the council would know that we don't need a country Park or a supermarket there it will not be on their down step. And the way I see it if people want a supermarket and then they should move to place where there is a supermarket or they shouldn't have moved here in the first place. I have lived in Whittlesey for over 40 years and it is a market town we used to have little shops like shoe, hardware, sweet, sport and others, If people want to use Tesco,s they can travel to the Hamptons or March or do in on-line
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