Ely: Plans For New Retail Park

19 February 2013, 11:59 | Updated: 19 February 2013, 12:10

Plans for a new retail park in Ely, which developers claim will create hundreds of new jobs, have been submitted to East Cambridgeshire District Council.

The proposals for Octagon Park [artist impression - right & below] cover the southern edge of Ely.

The application includes proposals for a new Tesco store, which would replace the current superstore at Angel Drove.

Developers say this would free-up space around the railway station for redevelopment.

There are also plans for a hotel, restaurant overlooking a water feature, petrol station, seven retail units including a DIY store and an office area.

Developers Healy Investments say a public exhibition about the plans in September 2012 was attended by around 400 people.

The company says 'the majority' people attending the exhibition were supportive of the proposals.

Matthew Chandler of Mantle, which submitted the plans on behalf of Healy Investments, said: "We are really pleased to be submitting this application. 

It is the culmination of many years work and much consultation. Relocating Tesco would facilitate the council's aspiration to redevelop the Station Gateway.

We are confident that Octagon Park will deliver many benefits to Ely. 

The development will be a multi million pound investment into the economy and will create hundreds of jobs, boost tourism and help to ensure that local people do not travel out of the city to do their food shopping. 

It will also provide Ely a bulky goods retail offer retaining more expenditure within the City. 

At present so much expenditure is currently lost to Cambridge and Newmarket. 

The feedback we have received tells us that this was the right thing to do."

East Cambridgeshire District Council is expected to make a decision on the planning application in the summer or autumn.