RESIDENTS of Newcastle Great park will finally get a supermarket after long-awaited plans were finally approved on Friday.
City councillors rubber stamped a new Morrisons store to be built in the huge development site’s town centre, after years of residents complaining about a lack of amenities.
The planning committee was following the recommendation of civic centre officials who hope the supermarket could act as a “catalyst” for more businesses to move onto the Great Park at last.
The major new store, which would have a 185-space car park, is expected to be open from 7am to 11pm.
While the authority’s planning department have said there would be a “lack of direct access” to the supermarket from the town centre’s high street, they concluded it would have “good connections for pedestrians and cyclists”.
Their report added: “It is anticipated that the development of the supermarket will play a significant role in the future development of the town centre, acting as a catalyst for further investment into the area.
“The impact on the amenity of neighbouring residents has been fully assessed and is considered acceptable subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.”
A the meeting Coun Felicity Mendelson, who represents South Jesmond, said: “Ever since I have been around on the planning committee we have been talking about getting shops on Great Park.”
Coun Stephen Sheraton, who represents Byker, added: “It’s a really interesting and attractive scheme it should be commended.”
The arrival of a long overdue supermarket to the Great Park, in the north of the city, was finally announced earlier this year – following an infuriating wait for frustrated locals, who have long complained about the lack of shops on their mostly-empty high street.
A new One Stop shop did open earlier this year to serve the giant estate’s residents, while there is also a salon and a pharmacy.
Speaking after the meeting cabinet member for development, neighbourhoods and transport, Coun Ged Bell, said: “I am delighted that at long last Newcastle Great Park will be getting its own supermarket. Residents have waited a long time for this.
“It will provide a huge stimulus in making the Great Park a more sustainable development and hopefully attract further shops and investment into that community.
“It will create 140 jobs and provide a boost for the local economy, which is just what we need coming out of the pandemic.”
