Controversial Tesco scheme at Yardley green lighted
Long-running and contentious plans to redevelop The Swan shopping centre in South Yardley, Birmingham, on the back of a new Tesco store have finally been given the go-ahead. The supermarket group is preparing to start activity at the site on the A45 Coventry Road after being given approval from the secretary of state on a compulsory purchase order inquiry that has held up the scheme. Tesco’s plans have faced staunch opposition from some local business people who have argued that the supermarket group would dominate the area at the expense of other businesses. But other locals have supported the plans, which include an 80,000 sq ft Tesco Extra store as part of 150,000 sq ft of retail space, and which could create around 500 full and part-time jobs. The next stage in the process will include tendering for a main contractor to be appointed for the construction phase. Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: “Now that the period of appeal is over, we can concentrate on completing the remaining land acquisition required for the scheme and move forward with bringing the new store and retail offering to fruition.”
