Big prize may lure Tesco to former brewery site
Aug 28 2008 by Paul James, The Journal
THE long-running row over the former Vaux brewery site could be ended by new supermarket plans.
Mountview Securities has submitted a planning application for its Sunderland Retail Park, in Monkwearmouth, naming Tesco as its preferred operator for a huge supermarket.
But last night the supermarket chain said it was still pursuing the “exciting opportunity” on the opposite bank of the Wear on the Vaux site, which it has been under pressure to sell almost from the moment it bought the land in 2001.
But as the latest supermarket proposed would have 138,500sq ft of shopping space – the size of a large Tesco Extra – it is thought unlikely the company would want another big shop across the river.
Regeneration company Sunderland arc has its own plans for offices, homes, civic buildings and smaller shops and leisure attractions on the riverside plot and was backed by a planning inspector last year who ruled the Vaux land was unsuitable for large-scale shopping.
The arc has repeatedly pointed to Tesco comments in recent years it would sell the Vaux land if it could find another suitable site in Sunderland.
And last night arc chief executive David Walker, who has secured funding from One NorthEast and English Partnerships to buy the land, said he hoped the application would bring an early resolution to the Vaux saga.
If the plans are approved for Sunderland Retail Park, which is just off Newcastle Road, the development would include four other shops and a petrol station alongside the supermarket.
A Tesco spokesman said: “Tesco are the preferred operator if the application is approved.
“Tesco have always said they are still seeking to progress the Vaux site and are continuing discussion with the council. They are two separate applications.”
After a public inquiry into the city council’s Unitary Development plan, a planning inspector ruled that the Vaux site was not suitable for a large shop and would not be for years to come.
Sunderland arc’s plans for the site were also backed by the then Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly, who approved its application after a separate planning inquiry.
Last night Mr Walker said: “The arc and our partners have always said that we would welcome Tesco’s investment in bringing a quality supermarket into the city of Sunderland.
“This site is an appropriate location for a supermarket and will bring much-needed regeneration to this part of the city. Negotiations with Tesco over the Vaux site are ongoing, but we hope that this will bring an early resolution. Tesco’s plans for Sunderland Retail Park will complement our proposals for the Vaux site.
“Our scheme seeks to maximise the regeneration of the Vaux site, bringing a further 3,500 jobs and diversifying the economy of the city centre now and for future generations.”
Sunderland Council leader Paul Watson said: “The council has said all along that Tesco is the kind of prestigious company we want to bring into Sunderland, but in the right location.
“This application, if it diverted Tesco’s superstore proposals away from the Vaux site, would be a positive step forward in the regeneration of both the city centre and the Monkwearmouth area.”
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Controversy fermented
THE famous Vaux brewery closed in 1999, ending 162 years of tradition.
The Vaux family were in brewing from 1805 and established their own brewery in 1837, on the corner of Matlock and Cumberland Streets.
It moved to Union Street in 1844, then in 1875 to Gill Bridge Avenue, where it would remain 124 years, making beers including Double Maxim and Samson.
It became a proud Wearside symbol, sponsoring Sunderland Football Club, and its horsedrawn drays were distinctive.
Tesco bought the site in 2001 and applied in October 2002 for a store, other shops and homes, but the plans have never reached the stage at which Sunderland Council would be able to consider them. In December 2002, Sunderland arc submitted its own plan, to create 3,500 jobs. The plan was called in by the Government in February 2006 and went to a public inquiry.
In March 2007, the Communities Secretary approved the arc plan, on which Tesco has appealed.
In August 2007, an independent inspector endorsed the city council unitary development plan and said major retail development should be confined to a central area which does not take in the Vaux site.
The UDP was adopted by the council last October and the next month Tesco said it would fight that in court. If talks by arc and Tesco fail, One NorthEast is able to acquire the site by compulsory purchase to back the arc scheme.
For previous stories about the Sunderland Tesco row, click on the links below:
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