Eco-supermarket plan gets big support
The backer of an eco-friendly supermarket project at Sheringham is pressing ahead with seeking planning permission after a massive thumbs up from people visiting a showcase of the scheme.
The backer of an eco-friendly supermarket project at Sheringham is pressing ahead with seeking planning permission after a massive thumbs up from people visiting a showcase of the scheme.
More than 2,500 people attended a three-day exhibition of the idea, and 93pc of those handing in comment cards gave it their backing.
Businessman Clive Hay-Smith who is behind the venture, said: 'We will now move ahead quickly with a detailed planning application in conjunction with North Norfolk District Council. This vote of support by the townspeople of Sheringham was all the encouragement we needed.'
The scheme features an environmentally-friendly store, also includes electric shuttle buses and delivery vehicles, along with slicing off part of the profits for a local community charity kitty. It has tabled as a rival to Tesco's long-standing plans for a supermarket in the town by Mr Hay-Smith who said: 'The Tesco plan has never seemed popular with the people of Sheringham - now they have a clear and realistic choice.'
The new Greenhouse Country Store would be built on land currently occupied by around 60 allotment holders in a land swap deal backed by Sheringham Town Council. Mr Hay-Smith says the swap does not depend on the store scheme going ahead, and is prepared to up his offer of farmland from 13 to 21 acres because of demand for local allotments. In return he would get four acres near the Splash pool site on Weybourne Road for the store site.
He has assured plot-holders the allotments would be done properly with mulching, hedging and banking, as well as communal bio-compactors, poly-tunnels and possible raised beds for the less able.
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A community meeting for the town to discuss the proposed allotment changes will take place at St Andrews Church Hall, Cromer Road, Sheringham on Friday night at 7.30pm.
*See Letters - page 9
