Home   Sheerness   News   Article

Asda store in Plover Road, Minster, will serve Thistle Hill estate

More details have been announced about plans for an Asda in Minster.

The £6 million project, for a plot opposite Sheppey Community Hospital in Plover Road, could create as many as 120 jobs.

Land to the rear of the supermarket has been earmarked for 100 homes, and Asda has pledged to work closely with Swale council and Jobcentre Plus in Sheerness.

A layout of the 100 homes behind the supermarket
A layout of the 100 homes behind the supermarket

It plans to create a recruitment programme to give those in the job market a route back into work, if the proposals get the go-ahead.

The company said the store payroll would be well in excess of £1m a year.

Asda said a quarter of its management roles were filled by employees who were promoted after starting on hourly wages and it offered work clubs and job placements for the long-term unemployed and apprenticeships to people of all ages, not just those under 25.

Computer generated image of how the Asda would look
Computer generated image of how the Asda would look

If approved, the store would also have a range of energy-saving measures aimed at reducing its carbon footprint including automatic light dimming, natural lighting and water-efficient toilets, while excess heat from the bakery would be recycled to warm the warehouse.

As previously reported, the application would include four smaller retail units such as a cafe, dry-cleaners, florist or similar.

The land is owned by Dalemarch (Sheppey) and the scheme is a joint venture with fellow property management firm Starnes.

Artist's impression of how Asda's Minster store could look
Artist's impression of how Asda's Minster store could look

Richard Williams, director of Starnes, said the store would be about one-third of the size of one of the larger Asda supermarkets, which he said is suitable for the needs of the nearby Thistle Hill community.

He added the 100 homes would be built on land allocated for housing under Swale council’s Local Plan.

Peter MacDonald, of Minster Parish Council, said: “I think our council decision was broadly in favour. It’s not a huge Asda and clearly there’s a need for it in that area.

“The whole site has got far too many houses on it, but we are where we are.”

Cllr Peter MacDonald
Cllr Peter MacDonald

He expressed concerns about “poor” footpath infrastructure in the area.

There will be a public exhibition in the community hall in Thistle Hill Way, Minster, from 9am to 1pm on Saturday, for people to share their ideas about the scheme before the planning application is submitted six weeks later.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More