Tesco superstore scheme brings construction jobs to east London
Britain's largest supermarket chain has submitted plans for a £160m regeneration scheme in Bromley-by-bow, an area in east London.
The ambitious plans will prove a substantial boost to construction recruitment in London and the south-east if approved. A large workforce will be needed to replace the existing Tesco store near the A12 with a new district centre, designed by architecture firm ColladoCollins.
According to building.co.uk, the plans include a substantial s106 agreement - a clause which establishes obligations between property developers and local authorities for services or revenue. As well as the construction of the new superstore itself, this agreement means that workers will find themselves in building jobs at several other sites throughout the area.
Whilst the superstore will form the hub of this activity, the regeneration scheme also includes plans for a new two-form primary school, a riverside park and significant upgrades to the travel infrastructure between the site and the rest of the local area.
The plans aim at establishing a new district centre at the site of the new store. This will include the construction of a hotel, a new community library, 18 shops and cafes and even 403 residential units. It is hoped that the store and residential units, its first phase of development, will be completed in time for the 2012 olympics.
The retailer expects work to begin in December next year. Once the store itself has been constructed the housing, services and other components will follow.
Johnathan Collins, partner of ColladoCollins Architects, said that the scheme should "create a vibrant hub for the local area and contribute to the regeneration of urban areas."
"The scheme also unlocks other opportunities in the site such as opening up the River Lea to the existing community which is currently cut off by the A12, and creating a riverside park setting for the listed Three Mills buildings."