Swinton retail scheme approved
Salford City Council has approved the redevelopment of Swinton Shopping Centre by Asda and West Bromwich Building Society.
Asda will build a 35,000 sq ft food store with a 340-space car park on the site of the existing centre car park. West Bromwich hopes this will be the catalyst for a wider regeneration of the shopping centre a new piazza, public areas and enhanced retail units.
Layne Mercer, director of GVA, LPA Receiver for West Bromwich, said: "After years of neglect by the previous owners, we are delighted with the news and are committed to improving the centre for the benefit of the local community as a whole. Importantly, the scheme will generate around 250 new job opportunities for local people adding further to the regeneration impact.
"We are now at the implementation stage and hope to start on site very shortly. We are delighted by the Council's decision as this echoes the support we have had from local people in getting to this stage. This will make a real difference to the town centre retail offer."
Mark Rawstron, director of GVA, added: "Previous owners of the scheme had failed to apitalise on the development potential of the scheme. By the bank taking control and appointing GVA as LPA Receivers we have been able to unlock this potential and rebuild value by putting a multidisciplinary team on the case."
The project team includes GVA as project and development manager, investment advisor, LPA Receiver and shopping centre manager, WCEC Architects, MJM Consulting as structural and civil engineers.
Reading your article on the ASDA / GVA development – no mention of the burial ground has been made. There’s a surprise. 313 bodies, 1 of which is a WW1 war hero has never been mentioned. Sadly the burial ground comes within the development area. We opposed the application, but ONLY on the grounds of the burial site being moved. We have asked both ASDA and GVA to please re-look at the plans so that the burial ground can remain, but even yesterday 18th June we received a reply from GVA saying this could not be done. What we now face, if ASDA /GVA refuse to re-look at the plans, is the horrendous prospect of having our family exhumed and reburied in a cemetery they chose not to be buried in. Is that what they call "ASDA" price? We await your comment to the above in your next publication with interest.
By Sue Bamford