A new Sainsbury’s store on the site of a former bakery has been given the go ahead by Sheffield City Council. The 50,000 sq. ft. commercial property was originally scheduled to open last December but the planning application has taken longer than expected.
The supermarket will occupy part of the site of the Fletchers bakery in Wadsley Bridge which was damaged by fire in 2006. The plans include the provision of car parking and landscaping. They also involve the demolition of two public houses, the Gate and the historic Travellers Inn, which has resulted in special conditions being attached to the planning approval.
The Traveller’s Inn has stood on the site for centuries although it was largely reconstructed in 1881. There had been concerns that the demolition would result in the loss of the building’s fireplace, which is dated 1697, but this appears to have been resolved following a commitment from Sainsbury’s to remove the fireplace prior to demolition.
It will now be relocated to a local industrial museum in return for the planning approval.
Speaking on behalf of Sainsbury’s, Jack Loy said; “Arrangements are now in place for the fireplace to be relocated to Kelham Island Museum.”
The Wadsley Bridge commercial property development will regenerate a run-down area in proximity to Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium and is expected to create 400 new jobs in the area. The work is now scheduled to commence in early September when the site will be boarded off. The demolition of the Travellers is due to begin towards the end of the month before the site is prepared for the next stage of construction in October.
Local reaction to the news appears to be mixed. While the majority welcome the jobs that will be created, others question whether the area really needs another supermarket. There are also concerns that it will create additional traffic on the already busy Leppings Lane.
Do you live or work in Sheffield’s Wadsley Bridge? Do you think the new Sainsbury’s will lead to further commercial property development in the area? Let us know below.
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still not started yet? any idea when it will commence?
No news yet Jane, but when we know, be sure to find an article with all the details on Movehut 🙂