Tesco wins Wolverhampton city centre store fight
Tesco today won its long-running battle to build a multi-million pound superstore in Wolverhampton city centre, marking the end of a 13-year-long planning saga.
A public inquiry into the development triggered by a small bus company has sided with the supermarket giant, meaning work can now start.
The £60 million development on the former Royal Hospital site has been in the pipeline for more than a decade but has been hit by a series of delays and wrangles, including a long-running battle with Sainsbury's.
The latest hold-up was due to a Government inquiry triggered when Banga Buses officially objected to planning permission being granted to build the store, which will be based on and around Sutherland Place.
The company claimed that closing Sutherland Place would lead to lengthy detours and cause increased traffic and noise pollution near its Vicarage Road depot.
But the inquiry, held by the Department for Transport, rejected those arguments and concluded that shutting Sutherland Place to make way for the 97,000 sq ft store was necessary to implement the original planning permission.
The move has now unlocked the transformation of the landmark Royal Hospital building, with work expected to start before the summer.
In his report Martin Whitehead said: "The Stopping Up Order would not impact on any services provided by Banga Buses."
Regeneration bosses said it was "excellent news".
