McLagan Investments and Rubery Owen Investments have won consent for an 8,400 sq m (90,418 sq ft) Asda superstore on the site of the former Rubery Owen engineering works in Willenhall, Birmingham. The move follows the retailer’s decision to close down its store in nearby Darlaston in February 1997.
The Black Country Development Corporation granted consent subject to the following conditions:
- The applicants will develop 3,000 sq m (32,292 sq ft) of industrial space on a derelict site on the opposite side of the Black Country Route from the new superstore.
- The site of the Darlaston store will be redeveloped as a public swimming pool and three retail units totalling 2,560 sq m (27,556 sq ft).
- The retailer will underwrite the running cost of two new bus routes linking nearby residential areas and town centres for at least five years.
The scheme is a departure from the UDP, and it is expected that the Environment Secretary will call in the scheme.
EGi News 23/09/96
