Members of Beeston Community Forum have agreed to be neutral over rival plans to site supermarkets on the same Beeston street.
The forum discussed the two proposals at last night’s meeting. Members heard that the application for a Tesco store, which was due to be considered by the council’s plans east panel on September 8, had been withdrawn because of new planning developments.
ASDA, which is transforming the old Netto, this week held a consultation into plans to build a new larger store at the back of the Netto car park with a view to submitting a formal planning application shortly.
ASDA are apparently urging the council to consider both planning applications at the same time, secretary Robert Winfield told the meeting.
Forum chair Christine Thornton said:
“We withdrew our objection to Tesco’s plans but we haven’t said that we support them either. Forum members will have their own opinions, but it’s important the forum remains neutral and doesn’t support one application over the other.”
Forum member John Hodgson said it was important for an area that it had a new supermarket. He added:
“We’re always back of the queue in this area to get things – I think we need a supermarket.”
Local councillor Adam Ogilvie told the meeting ward members had been contacted by Asda representatives and that he had told them that the consultation event should have been held in Beeston, not Beeston Hill, and that Asda should speak at the forum.
Other issues discussed included:
- Forum members listened to a presentation and asked questions about the Investment Partnership for South Leeds, an initiative to help attract investment and support regeneration across a large area of South Leeds. Members asked questions and raised issues including housing quality, tenant turnover and education and training. More details about Investment Partnership for South Leeds can be found here.
- Local police reported a good set of crime figures for Beeston in September, including no robberies, five burglaries, five sheds and garages burgled, nine thefts from motor vehicles, and one theft of a motor vehicle.
- The Forum agreed to send a ‘good will’ message to Holbeck NPT Inspector Damien Miller, who is set to move on to a city-wide role.
