Nelson’s Quarter scheme hopes for victory

May 16 2008 by Richard Fletcher, Chester Chronicle

A SUPERMARKET that could be built in a village “would not impact upon existing shops”.

The formal application for the Nelson’s Quarter project in Tarvin was this week sent to Chester City Council, covering 63 High Street and Top Farm. The original application in April was delayed because of an incorrect application fee.

The work includes a 4,500sqft supermarket and 2,400sqft restaurant, nine shops, 3,000sqft of office space and parking for 62 cars. There would be a new filter lane on the A54 to access the site and Top Farm would be demolished and part of 63 High Street.

Developers Osborne Kinsey say they have received “strong interest” from Sainsbury and Tesco plus the National Farmers’ Union for the office space.

In their retail planning statement they add: “The proposed development will not materially impact upon existing local shop provision within the village and will instead deliver positive benefits through reducing the need of local residents to travel to meet their shopping needs.

“The proposed scale of the foodstore means that it will not compete with existing and planned foodstore provision in Chester.”

But Rachel Lloyd of Jessop’s delicattesen on High Street said: “If we get a supermarket people will go there. Where it’s positioned, it won’t bring people into the village.”

Gill Siddorns of Gills on High Street said: “Where is he coming from? I don’t understand where he is getting his facts. If he’s successful, people who came to live in a village because they wanted to live in a village community can kiss goodbye to it.”