Great news as leading store set for Park
MAJOR BOOST FOR AREA AS SUPERMARKET GIANT HEADS FOR ESTATE
A SUPERMARKET is finally set to arrive at Newcastle Great Park after more than a decade of waiting.
Residents of the huge housing development in the north west of the city have long complained about the lack of amenities
But the Great Park looks to be getting a major boost, with confirmation that a new Morrisons supermarket is on the way.
A deal has been struck for the retail giant to open a new store at the site and a planning application for the “long overdue” shop is expected to be submitted this month, Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell said in a blog post.
Resident John Atkinson, of the Great Park Action Group, said: “It has been 12 years coming, but it is fantastic news.
“There are still something like 17 empty units in the town centre, we still don’t have a pub, there have been rumours of more things coming in but it is slow progress.
“But the number one priority was to have somewhere we could go and get milk, so this is progress – albeit painstakingly slow.”
In December 2018, housebuilder Taylor Wimpey said the opening of a new supermarket for the Great Park was due “very early in 2019”, but that did not happen.
Then it was announced in November 2019 that a “major retailer” had entered into an exclusivity arrangement to move into the estate.
Anita Lower, councillor for Castle ward, hopes the long-awaited arrival will be the catalyst for more shops opening.
The former Newcastle Liberal Democrat leader said: “It’s good news. We have known for a long time that there was a supermarket interested in coming to the Great Park and I think the consortium has had a long slog in difficult times getting them there.
“Hopefully by next year we will have the supermarket and that could attract other shops so soon we have the thriving town centre that the people of the Great Park deserve.
“It is a huge step forward for the whole of the Great Park and hopefully it is just the start of something.” Ms McKinnell said: “Over the last 10 years I have worked with and on behalf of residents of the Great Park to achieve much needed progress on the development of the town centre and on wider issues facing the community. “The announcement that contracts have finally been exchanged and a planning application will be submitted next month to build a Morrisons in the town centre is therefore very welcome news, and long overdue.
“The development of the supermarket is a major milestone for the Great Park.” A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes, one of the partners in the Great Park Consortium, confirmed: “We are delighted a deal has been agreed for the provision of a supermarket which will be a great benefit to residents of Newcastle Great Park. “This will be a great asset to the community and we look forward to seeing progress. We are committed to seeing further commercial progress in the town centre and to welcoming more businesses in the future.” Morrisons was contacted for comment.
The number one priority was to have somewhere we could go and get milk Resident John Atkinson