MORE than £180,000 could be ploughed into Swadlincote if plans for 51 homes on the site of a former supermarket gets the go ahead next week.
It has been recommended by planning officers that the former Kwik Save supermarket, in Alexandra Road, which closed six years ago, should now be bulldozed to make way for a housing development.
Maplevale Developments Ltd, and George LB Ltd, applied to South Derbyshire District Council for permission to demolish the derelict supermarket and build 51 homes on the 756 sq metre site. The council’s planning committee will now decide its fate at a meeting on Tuesday.
The site has previously been the subject of two applications to turn it into a retirement complex but have failed to materialise. New plans could now mean 25 two bedroom homes, eight three bedroom, along with 18 one bedroom flats. The plans also include space for 60 cars.
If plans are approved, a total of £188,017 will be ploughed into the town courtesy of a Section 106 agreement which sees developers provide cash to a community affected by a development.
It means that £79,793 will be given to the education authority for infant and junior spaces, £1,464.21 towards the provision of additional waste management capacity, £18,360 to Swadlincote Library, £2,200 for off site National Forest Planting, and a medical contribution of £26,140.
Open spaces will get the largest contribution of more than £40,000.
The application is not without controversy with four letters of objection in response to re-consultation on amended plans which included a resiting of the access point.
Objections cited overlooking, noise and disturbance as two issues, as well ‘insufficient’ parking with one resident claiming that the development is more likely to have 104 cars. Another objection suggested the housing density was too great.
In recommending the plans for approval, the planning officers said the development was accepted as it is surrounding by other homes, adding that the design would reflect the character of the area, and highway issues had been addressed.
The officers said neighbouring properties would not be significantly affected due to amendments made.
