'Build your store - or get out': Dartford council gives Tesco ultimatum in long-awaited Lowfield Street development
Lowfield Street in
Dartford is awaiting development
by Alan Watkins
Supermarket giant Tesco is racing to
submit revised plans for the long-delayed Lowfield Street
development in Dartford after a final warning from the
council.
The company was summoned to a crisis
meeting in the town just before Christmas and told: "Get building -
or get out."
The warning was delivered by an
exasperated Cllr Jeremy Kite (Con), leader of Dartford council. He
was backed by the opposition group leader, Cllr Geoff Prout
(Lab).
News of the pressure being placed on
Tesco was revealed today.
It follows nearly 10 years of on-off
promises about developing a mixed scheme of shops, homes and a
store next to Central Park.
Plans have already been approved, but
Tesco is no longer happy with that scheme.
Tesco is no longer happy
with plans for Lowfield Street, shown in this artist's impression
from 2008
It follows changes in the way people
buy goods - relying increasingly on the internet to place their
orders. House building is also proving less attractive.
They were given until the Tesco board
meeting on February 8 to come up with a development programme for
the site.
Cllr Kite said: "They had a very clear
ultimatum. Get on with the job or we’ll hand it to someone
else."
The revised plans are now expected in
mid-April, with a quick start on construction.
The development is expected to include
seven or eight retail outlets in addition to Tesco’s store and 99
homes.
Tesco is yet to comment.
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19/02/13