Tesco announces massive expansion plans in Milngavie - have your say on our website
PROPOSALS in the pipeline for the demolition of Tesco in Milngavie and replacement with two 2-storey buildings have been branded GROTESQUE.
However, the traders association in Milngavie has said it is "cautiously optimistic" about the development and the promise of 250 new jobs is also likely to win it support.
A new two-storey car park is to be built on the site of the present store and the new superstore, also on two floors, would be built on the existing car park.
The front of the new store would look into the car park with the back of the store being seen from Woodburn Way.
A bridge would link the store to the car park and travelators like those in the new Bearsden Asda would give access to the upper store.
No planning application has yet been lodged but last weekend Tesco held a three day exhibition in the store to gauge local reaction to the proposals.
Concerns are mostly for the impact the scale of the development will have on the surrounding landscape and the
Civic Trust and MSP Des McNulty are urging planners to exercise strict control over any permission granted.
Mr McNulty explained: "I have concerns over the appearance of the rear of the store from Milngavie Road/Woodburn Way and the impact of increased traffic.
"If planning permission is granted it will be vital that the underpass and pathways are upgraded to a high standard so that those using Tesco are encouraged to also use specialist shops in the precinct.
"Marks and Spencer were obliged to provide a high quality frontage when their food store opened a few years ago and I hope the planners take a similar approach to prevent the rear of the new store being seen as an eyesore.
"I am concerned that the doubling of he size of the store will generate substantially increased traffic which will put pressure not just on the access road but on neighbouring junctions in Milngavie and other traffic bottlenecks."
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Tesco corporate affairs manager, Jennifer Duncan, said: "The new store will allow Tesco to deliver greater choice in fresh food and a broader range of products as well as increased town centre car parking facilities and around 250 additional jobs for local people.
"The store design includes leading technologies to reduce energy consumption and reliance on non-renewable resources."
The statement was dismissed by Nigel Orr of the Civic Trust as flannel and he told the Herald: "The buildings are grotesque.
"They won't sit comfortably at all in the surroundings and will dominate the setting of Gavin's Mill and the river — it will look like 'Tesco Town'.
"I would urge the planners to exercise the utmost caution in what they allow in this sensitive area of Milngavie."
Traders' spokesman Ian Lavrie said of the proposals: "We are not shooting these plans down and are viewing
the development with cautious optimism as we have been invited to talks with management early in the new year, when we can hopefully put our case where we see over-provision.
"We also welcome the fact that Tesco has at last agreed to join our traders' association."
It is envisaged the timescale between demolition and the opening of the new store will be between a year and 18 months
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Weather for Milngavie
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 1 C to 7 C
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Wind direction: West
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Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 5 C
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