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Tesco exhibition: what did you think?
Belper residents flocked to see the planning proposals put forward by Tesco this week.
Hundreds of people went to see the three-day exhibition by the supermarket giant on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The multi-million pound plans, dubbed 'a vision for Belper' included community facilities, homes and shops as well as a new superstore on
Tesco-owned land at the Belper Meadows Edge site.
Bosses at the chain said they were encouraged by the reception the plans received.
Regional corporate affairs manager Eoin Dardis said: "We're very happy with the response from the community and the public.
"The perspectives and views we've heard have been great. We've heard a diverse range of attitudes from people, businesses and groups.
"There have been a lot of questions and we will be gathering as much feedback on the vision as possible with the possibility of refining it ."
The exhibition ran at Firestone House, on Derwent Street. Representatives from Tesco and architects DPP have were on hand to answer questions.
Visitors to the display had mixed opinions on the plans.
Belper resident Ann Matkin said: "I think it would do Belper good. I know people say it will take things away from Belper Town Centre but I think it would do more good. It would bring more people into Belper, and bring more jobs, and some different and better shops."
Joanne Broome, of Nottingham Road, said: "I'm torn in half over it. With two young children I find it really difficult to shop in Belper. I want to go somewhere where I can buy food and clothes for me and the children and we haven't got anywhere like that around here. It would be nice to go somewhere you can get everything under one roof.
"But we used to live in Hucknall and when Tesco came there it destroyed the town centre. I'm concerned about the effect it might have on small businesses."
Suzanne and Geoff Banks are considering moving to Belper from Kent. They said the plans would not put them off moving but they did have reservations.
Mr Banks said: "We've had our own issues with a major company trying to develop and area of natural beauty and I'm frightened for Belper about what could happen. It could split the community with a new Belper on the new site and old Belper deserted."
A spokesman for Belper Civic Forum who saw the exhibition this week said: "We need to be careful not to be won over by beguiling images, but to examine what substance is behind them before deciding whether this package is in the best interests of Belper."
Tesco plans to submit a planning application by the end of the year. If it is successful the company hopes to have fully developed the site by 2013.
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Weather for Belper
Friday 25 May 2012
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