PLANS for a Tesco superstore in Caernarfon that could create 275 new jobs have been withdrawn.
However, a meeting of Gwynedd Council’s Arfon planning committee approved plans to build 54 new homes on the present Tesco site.
The application was approved on the condition that Tesco agree to provide affordable housing for local people and donate money to the area’s schools.
Felix Gummer, Tesco’s corporate affairs manager, welcomed the decision.
“Obviously, we’re pleased the council accepted the application,” he said.
“This is the first part of the process - the store would never be demolished unless a relocation site is found. We can reassure customers that there will always be a Tesco in Caernarfon.”
“Having a viable site for the development means we have a better way of carrying on the conversation on store location.”
Mr Gummer added that the application for a store on Llanberis Road was withdrawn to allow further discussions with the council.
He said: “We haven’t had an opportunity to bottom out all the issues, and we would like to continue discussions with the council and the public.” he said.
“There is clear support for the scheme, with four to one of the people at the public exhibition in favour of a new store. “
He added: “The store would bring extra jobs and more people would stay in Caernarfon to do their shopping.”
Mr Gummer confirmed that if the application is accepted, building work would not begin until an alternative site for the store is found.
The 45,000 sq ft store would create 275 new jobs, but the proposal has been a controversial one in the town.
Mark Sykes, director of Beeline Management and Development, fears the impact of the store on small businesses.
He said: “Evidence from other towns suggests that large supermarkets lead to town centre shops closing. This means fewer people going into town, which leads to crime and pressure on the council.”
“The increase in jobs doesn’t take into account butchers, greengrocers and book shops closing down because people are doing one shop at Tesco.”
“People who have spent years building up their businesses see someone on little more than minimum wage doing their job.”
Eirian James, owner of Palas Print in Caernarfon, said: “The application goes against Gwynedd's local plan, as the land is earmarked for housing, and is also against local authority and National Assembly policy on out of town shopping development.”
However, Helen Davies, from the Noddfa Community Centre, near the proposed site, said “We welcome the fact that Tesco consulted with the community here on the plans for a new store.
“We need new jobs.”