By North East Lincolnshire Council’s Planning Committee are set to make a decision on Wednesday 3 March about whether or not to go ahead with the new Co-op store on Bargate, situated at the former Conservative Club site.
The initial application for the Bargate Co-op store was rejected by the council last summer on highway safety grounds. There were concerns over access for vehicles within the area.
Planners at the time said the conversion would have “a severe adverse impact on highway safety, road and pedestrian safety, by reason of conflicting traffic movements in an already complex network of junctions and limited road widths.”
In December, Co-op resubmitted plans for the new store to the council which show outbuildings would be knocked down, but the main structure – an 1850s building which has been derelict since 2010 – would be preserved.
The new plans show a south-side entrance, and also states that both customer and delivery vehicles will exit onto Augusta Street from separate points.
A report submitted to the planning committee states: “A new vehicular, cycle and pedestrian access has been created, along with a suitable servicing/refuge strategy which minimises potential impacts onto the surrounding residential area.”
If the plan for the new Co-op store on Bargate is approved, 15 part-time jobs and three full-time jobs will become available upon completion.
A local resident commented: “I think it’s a got to be a good idea because there’s nothing in this area anyway. If it creates a few jobs then great. I’d use it, I like Co-op anyway. I don’t think it will have much impact on the big supermarkets, due to the Co-op prices. But with it being very residential I think it will be well used.”
The final decision on the new Co-op store will be made at a council meeting on Wednesday morning.
