THE LANDSCAPE of a popular retail park is already changing – and could change further.
A new branch of Costa Coffee is currently being erected on the car park at the Snipe, which is home to B and Q Warehouse, Home Bargains, Next and other stores.
But two units, one occupied by Pizza Hut and the former site of Carphone Warehouse, could be demolished to make way for an Aldi supermarket.
If it is given the go ahead, it will see the creation of 40 more jobs.
The full application includes the building of a 20,000 sq ft foodstore, reconfiguration of existing car park areas, realignment of the internal estate road including the junction with Snipe Way and re-opening ‘left in’ turn off Manchester Road.
In total, 85 cars will be able to park at the redesigned area.
In a design statement, the applicant states: “This is a positive investment in the local area which will transform this area of the retail park into a location which responds to the ever-changing needs of the modern consumer, provides employment for local people, is accessible by all forms of sustainable transport, is energy efficient and resilient, improves highway safety and provides access to local services near where people live.”
A transport statement also states: “The proposed development will be accessed safely and efficiently and will provide overall benefits to the vehicular access arrangements to the wider Snipe Retail Park.
“The site is highly accessible on foot with a wide residential and commercial catchment to encourage travel to the site by pedestrians. The proposals will enhance the pedestrian connections in the area and allow a safer and more efficient route for pedestrians to travel between Manchester Road, the site and the wider Retail Park.
“The proposals will generate a minimal level of additional traffic.”
So far, well over 100 people have commented on the application, with 110 objecting it and only seven supporting.
But Tameside Council’s Speakers Panel (Planning) committee will decide whether to give it the go ahead.
Its next meeting is on Wednesday, March 17.
Meanwhile, work is ongoing to build a new branch of Costa yards from where the supermarket would go.
The chain agreed a 15-year lease for the 1,800 sq ft unit together with a drive through lane and external seating areas plus waiting bays.
Charlie Greenhalgh, out of town retail director at Savills, which advises owners Orchard Street Investment Management – which bought the Snipe for £61.8 million in 2015, said: “Snipe Retail Park offers an excellent line up of national retailers in a high profile location.
“This latest deal with Costa Coffee will complement the existing mix of tenants, introducing a new amenity for visitors and another major brand to the scheme.”