Officers recommend Belvedere ASDA proposals are approved
11:44am Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Where I Live By Jim Palmer
The B&Q store that could become half-ASDA
CONTROVERSIAL plans to bring ASDA to Belvedere have moved a step forward, with Bexley Council planning officers recommending it goes ahead.
A decision will be made by the council’s planning committee on Thursday evening whether to allow B&Q in Station Road to divide into two, allowing supermarket giant ASDA to move in.
Despite 375 letters of objection and a petition of 409 signatures complaining it would devastate the area’s businesses, send traffic levels soaring and increase crime and vandalism, council officers have recommended to councillors that plans are approved.
In their report, officers said that no other sites locally were more suitable and that it ‘would not harm the vitality and viability of surrounding shopping centres’.
The Highways Agency said its ‘robust assessment’ revealed that traffic would operate at an acceptable level, with the exception of the Picardy Road junction during the morning rush hour, and it said ASDA had agreed to fund improvements to it.
ASDA said the new store, which could open this year, would create 300 full and part-time jobs.
The firm said that in a public consultation, 90 per cent of people supported plans to bring ASDA to Belvedere and that in an independent survey of 1,000 residents by Populus, 87 per cent of thought the proposals would have a positive impact for jobs.
ASDA’s senior property communications manager, Chris Martin said: “We are delighted with the officer’s recommendation for approval and strongly believe that bringing an ASDA to Belvedere will help boost the local economy and employment levels.
“Our own consultation findings and independent polling has shown the high levels of support that exist within the local community for the proposals.
“We are confident that we have secured the best deal for Belvedere and hope the planning committee will share our views when considering the planning application.”
Bexley Council's planning committee will decide on the application at its meeting on Thursday, from 7.30pm at the Civic Offices in Broadway, Bexleyheath.
