Tesco submits outline plans for new Huddersfield store

Feb 11 2010 by Henryk Zientek, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

RETAILER Tesco has tabled plans for its controversial new store in Huddersfield.

The company wants to build a new store on the site occupied by the sports centre and the Ibbotson and Lonsbrough flats at Southgate.

The proposed Tesco Extra store is part of a £120m regeneration scheme, which also includes outline proposals for the existing Tesco store site at Viaduct Street – where the company has submitted proposals for high quality homes, a hotel, office space and car parking.

The company said the new store would create 300 new jobs while its plans for the Viaduct Street site could bring hundreds more.

Kirklees Council plans to build a new sports centre at Springwood, partly funded by the proceeds of the sale of land at Southgate to Tesco.

A rival project by Asda has seen proposals for a superstore in Queensgate.

A spokesman for Tesco said: “The bespoke design proposal for the new Tesco Extra store at Southgate has been developed with Kirklees Council officers, ensuring it fits with the local area.

“It also features traditional and sustainable building material mixed with a range of environmental technology to help reduce carbon emissions.

“For customers familiar with the Viaduct Street store, the new proposals will provide easier access, wider shopping aisles and better ranges for shoppers.”

Tesco said the new store would create 300 jobs – with about half of the posts targeted at the long-term unemployed as part of the company’s Regeneration Partnership scheme.

The scheme provides help and advice on the application process. Recruits who complete a six-week training programme will be guaranteed a job.