The Tesco press release regarding their planning application

So, nothing in the first planning application except the store, filling station and kiosks - no visitor centre, no community and leisure facilities which are all left until "later".

5 January 2009
Tesco submits plans for Seaton*

Tesco has put forward its regeneration plans for Seaton after more than a year of extensive consultation and investigative research.

The company has submitted two planning applications. The first is an eco-superstore with a fuel station, car park, retail kiosks and public open space. The second is an outline application for the rest of the regeneration site including housing, a visitors centre and hotel and leisure facilities.

Tesco and its team of engineers and architects have spent months researching the opportunities for the site in consultation with East Devon District Council, Seaton Regeneration Board and the town council. The most time consuming aspect was finding a solution to the flooding risk on the site. The Environment Agency wants the site raised in order to prevent flooding, and this could have meant thousands of lorry loads of fill material.

But Tesco’s engineers have come of with two innovative ways of dramatically reducing the impact. One is to use a form of environmentally friendly expanded polystyrene for part of the store site, and the other is to bring in sea-dredged fill material through a mile-long pipeline – this could fill the rest of the site in only a few weeks.

Melanie Chiswell, Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco, said the planning applications are a real opportunity for Seaton to put itself on the map as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast. “We have spent a lot of time and money making sure that we can deliver the best possible regeneration plans for the town, within the boundaries of what is physically and commercially viable. This is one of the most challenging schemes we’ve worked on in the South West and we are really looking forward to having the opportunity to turn the plans on paper into a reality.

“We would start by building an eco store – one of the first of our new breed of environmental stores which dramatically reduce our carbon footprint. It would be around twice the size of our Axminster store. Most of Seaton’s population and people living in surrounding villages do their food shopping in nearby towns where the choice and range is better. A new supermarket in Seaton would mean people will not have to travel so far. It will also encourage people to use town centre shops and businesses whilst they park in our car park for free.

“We believe other developers will come on board when they see us start the regeneration process, so new housing and tourist accommodation could follow very soon. Our architects have put the finishing touches to the design for the visitors centre and we’re very keen to work in partnership with East Devon District Council to help bring forward this important tourist facility which will attract thousands more visitors to Seaton.

“In fact, we are proud to be able to invest in regeneration projects and create hundreds of new jobs during a recession when very little other investment is taking place. This is an opportunity for Tesco to use its success and resources to bring forward some really positive regeneration opportunities for Seaton and its residents, and we are the only retailer able to deliver this.”

Tesco held a consultation event in the town in October which was attended by more than 1,000 people, with the majority of those who completed feedback forms saying they were in favour of the proposals.

Ends

*NOTES TO EDITORS*

Release issued by pr dogs limited, public relations consultants, on behalf of Tesco Stores Ltd
For further information contact John Taynton of pr dogs on 01822 600100 or 0773 999 7353 (mobile) or email john.taynton@prdogs.com.