RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on Sainsbury’s proposal for a new store in the former Homebase building.
People are being urged to submit their views on the proposal on Bromsgrove District Council’s planning portal before the July deadline.
According to Sainsbury’s, the proposed development on the Brook Retail Park would create up to 100 new jobs. Around two thirds would be part-time and a third would be full-time. Sainsbury’s pointed out Homebase had 25 employees and anyone who worked at the Homebase would be guaranteed an interview for the new Sainsbury’s store.
The retail park provides a total of 164 parking spaces which were used by customers of Homebase and Pets at Home. That arrangement, Sainsbury’s said, would continue with 75 per cent of the spaces – 123 – available for Sainsbury’s customers.
Deliveries to the store would be via the existing delivery service yard at the back, accessed off Sherwood Road. Deliveries typical to a supermarket of this size would be one to two Sainsbury’s delivery lorries per day. There would also be bread, dairy goods and newspapers (using smaller vehicles).
The proposed opening times are from 6am to midnight, Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays.
In the planning documents, the supermarket stated: “Currently, Sainsbury’s does not have a supermarket offer in Bromsgrove, and the opportunity to open a new store in the former Homebase unit will bring Sainsbury’s quality and value food offering to the area, along with an in-store Argos.”
Rallying call for views
Worcestershire County Councillor for Bromsgrove South, Coun Sam Ammar told the Standard she supported the proposed redevelopment.
Coun Ammar is the deputy leader of Worcestershire Liberal Democrats Group and Economy Scrutiny board panel member. She highlighted the significant economic and community benefits the project could deliver.
As part of her research, Coun Ammar visited a comparable Sainsbury’s redevelopment in Sutton Coldfield.
She described the transformation of the Homebase there as ‘remarkable’. She added the site had previously suffered from neglect, dirt, and vandalism prior to its conversion.
Coun Ammar said: “The redevelopment in Sutton Coldfield demonstrates exactly what can be achieved.
“A previously underutilised and deteriorating site has been brought back to life, creating a clean, vibrant, and welcoming environment for the community.”
Coun Ammar highlighted the car parking would stay the same and added she had been given reassurances by Sainsbury’s that Bromsgrove’s current Argos would remain on the high street.
And she said deliveries – estimated to be around 5am or 10pm – would not cause disruption and, in her view ‘were not obstructive’.
“These are standard operational practices and have proven to work effectively elsewhere without negatively impacting residents.”
She said staff at the Sutton Coldfield store lived within 10 minutes of the supermarket. Bromsgrove’s intake – were the plans to go ahead – was expected to be the same.
Coun Ammar added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to create local jobs for local people.
“At a time when employment opportunities are crucial, this investment will provide a meaningful boost to our local economy.”
She also praised Sainsbury’s commitment to staff welfare, noting employees were provided with food during their breaks, similar to hospitality businesses.
On the importance of people having their say, Coun Ammar said: “We need to ensure that the voices of local residents are heard.
“I strongly support this project and encourage others to consider the positive impact it could have on our community.”
Anyone wanting to have their say can click here to see the full application and convey their views.
Responses so far
There have been more than 30 public comments already made on the application with the majority in support of the proposal.
Many said it would be good to see the derelict building regenerated and given a new use and welcomed the number of jobs it would bring to the town, especially for young people.
Some said they would welcome it as, living in Aston Fields and other nearby areas, it would be in walking and cycling distance.
Others said Sainsbury’s was one of the few stores the town did not have. They had to travel to Longbridge, Redditch, Northfield or Selly Oak to shop at one. They added a Sainsbury’s offered an alternative to Aldi, Lidl, Asda and Morrisons
Of the few objections, concerns raised included the extra traffic the Sainsbury’s would bring.
Some said the town already had enough supermarkets – listing the same alternative stores above. And objection letters have also been submitted by Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose.
