It’s feared Tesco’s plans to shelve proposals for a new supermarket in the centre of Kirkstall could lead to the site being left derelict for the foreseeable future.
Members of the Kirkstall Forum heard that earlier this year Tesco had ditched plans to open 49 new stores across the country due to falling sales. These stores included proposed facilities in Kirkstall and Farnley.
The forum heard that the Kirkstall site was now back on the market with Tesco looking to sell and no live planning applications currently attached to it.
The site, which has been derelict for ten years, was proving a magnet for anti-social behaviour.
Kirkstall councillor John Illingworth (Labour) said the steep sloping nature of the site made it difficult and expensive to develop, which could put potential developers off. He said:
“It worries me that the cost of access to the site and local road network could be very high. I’d like to see some affordable social housing built on there as there is a real lack of it in Kirkstall.
“I’d also like to see a low-cost supermarket like Aldi or Lidl open up there to give shoppers more choice, but again the costs are high.”
Former BHS site
Meanwhile, a multi-million pound development on the former BHS/Alders site in nearby Bridge Street, Kirkstall, is on track to open by the end of the year, the meeting heard.
Work is progressing on the scheme, which is rumoured to include a new BHS, Pets at Home, Costa Coffee, Marks and Spencer Food Store, Urban Outfitter, Wagamama and a gym.
