Work to start on new Tesco store

After years of delay Tesco supermarket is to start work on a new store near the viaduct in Chester-le-Street.

The development was first announced four years ago, but plans were stalled while a public inquiry took place and plans were then referred unsuccessfully to the High Court. Food retailer Co-op had applied for the judicial review, but its application was turned down following a three hour hearing.

Co-op has a store a stone's throw away from the site in St Cuthbert's Walk and thought a major food store on the site would threaten its branch with closure.

Now the council is in the process of compulsory purchasing thousands of square metres of land in the South Burns area of town to sell to Tesco for development.

Chester-le-Street District Council already owns the area, but has to 'buy' the site, at no cost, because it has to be registered absolute owner of the unregistered strips of land.

Several small businesses also have to be relocated with money paid to them by Tesco.

Director of planning and development at the council Tom Watson said: "There's one or two housekeeping items that need to be realised before Tesco start work. There's a culvert that needs to be strengthened, a roundabout that needs to be built and Bridge End Motors are being relocated. There's also one or two buildings that need to be demolished that aren't particularly brilliant."

One of the organisations being left temporarily homeless by the move is the 2nd Chester-le-Street Scout Group. Its dilapidated scout hut, situated under the viaduct, has long been seen as unsuitable for the 120 youngsters who use it.

So far they have helped to raise £20,000 towards a new scout hut, which is expected to be built at the south end of the town, near West Lane.

But while they raise the remaining tens of thousands of pounds still needed to build the new headquarters, the group needs temporary accommodation. Anyone who can help the scout group should contact Ray Dawson on (0191) 3882626.