Waitrose application gets government approval

12.29.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 25th Jul 2008

The old 'Peter Black' site alongside County Way and Trowbridge Park could become home to a Waitrose supermarket, cafes, bars and restaurants, a hotel, and 46 flats. There would also be car parking space and improvements to the River Biss.

West Wilts planners gave permission for the application in June, and the government, who have the final say, have decided not to stop the scheme but to allow the council to grant permission.

The application was made jointly by Waitrose and Parkridge Developments. There will be a legal agreement to secure some 'affordable' housing for rent, a contribution towards local schools, a play area, a foot bridge over the river, and improvements to pedestrian access.

Speaking to the planning committee on June 19th Adam Nardell, Regeneration Project Manager for West Wilts, said the high quality anchor store was an important element of the development. "The delivery of the vision for Trowbridge is a key aim of the district council," he continued, "as is the linkage with the Waterside development."

A spokesman for the developers said that Parkridge had already invested £35million in Trowbridge at the Wincanton site, due to open next spring. "The Peter Black site scheme will be a flagship development which the town can be truly proud of, replacing an eyesore with a high quality development of a Waitrose supermarket, a hotel, cafes and residential use."

West Wiltshire councillors will get another chance to consider the application before it's finally signed off.

An application for a Sainsbury's supermarket on the old Ushers site was recently approved by the council, also subject to government agreement.