A SUPERMARKET giant has announced plans for a new superstore in Ellesmere Port which would bring 350 new jobs to the area.
West Cheshire College has sold an area of its campus to Morrisons which submitted a planning application to the borough council on Monday for the development of a 75,000 sq ft store with parking for 480 cars and a petrol filling station.
The deal will provide the college with funding to continue improving its facilities and courses, complimenting the ongoing redevelopment and refurbishment of the college complex, which saw its Welcome Centre officially opened in April.
The aim is to continue the work on site to provide a new nursery, improved art and design accommodation, a new teaching block including hair and beauty salons, a fitness suite, music and games technologies, new performance spaces and all-weather five-a-side football and tennis courts.
Penny Horsefield, the college's vice-principal, said: 'This sale of some of the college's outdated buildings allows us to invest in the development of new accommodation elsewhere on the campus for the benefit of communities and businesses throughout Ellesmere Port.
'It really is very good news indeed, not just for the college, but for the whole town and we plan to work closely with Morrisons in the future to further improve opportunities for local people in training, securing and keeping jobs and learning new skills.'
The proposed new store would feature the company's 'Market Street' format - individual food counters, including a butcher and fishmonger, bakery and delicatessen.
It is also planned that an area within the store would be set aside for the college to promote its courses and offer training within a commercial environment.
Chris Evenson, Morrison's development director, said: 'We have put a great deal of thought into the design of the scheme to ensure it is in keeping with the surrounding area.
'A 130ft-wide strip of open space will be retained along the frontage to maintain the open aspect on Sutton Way, with access to the store via the new road that the college has already constructed off Sutton Way.'
Mr Evenson added: 'It is no secret that we have been looking to invest in Ellesmere Port for a number of years.
'Our proposal will build on the investment that has recently been made in the college and the surrounding residential area and provide new opportunities for the college to improve its courses and facilities.
'The store will create jobs for approximately 350 local people and we expect to work closely with the college to co-ordinate appropriate training programmes.'
Morrisons also says it is keen to seek the public's views and will put on a public exhibition and consultation exercise at the appropriate time, giving people a chance to comment on the scheme.
