Revised Dudley Morrisons store plan could create 350 jobs

Morrisons was originally given permission to flatten its existing store in Kingswinford and build a replacement last year.

But after bosses at the supermarket giant 'reconsidered' parts of the proposal to make it more efficient new plans have now been drawn up.

The revamped plans will be considered by members of Dudley Council's development control committee at a meeting on Mondays.

And planners have recommended the changes be approved subject to conditions.

Under the revised proposals, the replacement store will now measure 5,932sq m down from 6,348sq m originally.

It will also be built lower into the site allowing the sales floor, car parking and service yard to be on one level.

At first bosses had planned to split the site with a lower level car park and a glazed atrium containing an escalator leading to the new store.

The number of car parking spaces has also been reduced from 407 to 379.

Main access to the supermarket will continue to be from Stallings Lane where a new traffic light controlled junction will be installed.

There will also be a pedestrian access created from Hawkswell Drive to the site.

Other parts of the scheme include the creation of a replacement petrol station and the demolition of an industrial unit.

Bosses at Morrisons say the existing store is not big enough and the aisles too narrow. They also say that shelf-space is limited and there is not enough space for check-outs.

The existing petrol station is also too small to meet current levels of demand causing queuing within the site.

A report to the planning committee says the development will create 368 jobs split between 120 full-time and 248 part-time.

It says: "Since planning permission was granted last year, Morrisons has reconsidered a number of elements of the scheme to ensure the store can operate as efficiently as possible.

"The existing Morrisons store comprises of a former Safeway outlet acquired in 2004 and not purpose-built for the company's requirements.

"The proposed development will lead to the positive improvement of the site.

"It has been demonstrated the industrial unit nearby is no longer viable and required for employment use.

"The development would generate economic improvements, physical regeneration and employment.

"The introduction of a new traffic light system at the junction would improve highway safety and more than ample parking will be provided on site."

No objections have been raised to the scheme by residents living nearby to the supermarket on Stallings Lane.

The meeting will be held at Dudley Council House, in Priory Road, starting at 6pm.