Furious Wolverhampton Council bosses call for talks with Tesco after superstore plans scrapped

The city has been kept waiting for 14 years by Tesco for it to redevelop the hospital as it first wrangled with Sainsbury's in the High Court and then put its work on hold, despite being given the go-ahead.

The leader of Wolverhampton City Council has described Tesco's announcement as 'extremely disappointing' news for the city.

And there were demands that Tesco pay to re-open a road that was closed in order to deal with traffic that would have been going to the new store.

The council was informed of the decision by Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis.

Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said: "The council has done everything it its power to support Tesco to proceed with their plans, and I and senior council officers will now be seeking urgent discussion with Tesco about how to take forward the development of this key gateway site."

Labour councillor Bishan Dass said: "It's very sad news.

"There's nothing that we as a council can do about this. We don't have the money to buy the land from them.

"It's entirely in Tesco's hands.

"People have been waiting more than 10 years for this redevelopment and the jobs it was meant to bring."

Councillor Milkinder Jaspal, who represents Heath Town, said: "It is disappointing but I think there is now a golden opportunity to take a different approach to the site – one which isn't reliant on supermarkets. I think some sort of public service should be built on the site. I have always believed that New Cross Hospital is in the wrong place and think it is an ideal location for a new hospital or health complex."

Banga Buses had opposed the development because it required the closure of Sutherland Place in All Saints.

The matter went to a public inquiry in 2013 which found in Tesco's favour, leaving the bus company having to make 10 minute detours with most of the vehicles going to and from its garage.

Former owner Parkash Banga said: "If this is not going ahead then Tesco should pay to re-open Sutherland Place.

"They turned what used to be a two minute journey into a 10 minute one as buses have to go all the way to the Bilston Road island.

"Now that's all for nothing.

"I am surprised because they said only recently they were still committed to it."

Business leaders called for talks with Tesco over what to do with the site now.

Sham Sharma of the Wolverhampton Business Forum, said: "Tesco should give the land away to someone who will do something with it.

"People have had their hopes dashed. They have been very patient with Tesco for well over a decade.

"It needs to be turned into something with a purpose."

Phil Barnett, chairman of the Wolverhampton Business Champions, said: "The Tesco plans were well advanced and the best thing would be if we were able to persuade them to still go ahead.

"It is hugely disappointing but we have to move forward because this has been going on for a very long time.

"It will be an uphill struggle to persuade them to change their minds so if we can't do that we will need a Plan B. We cannot see that site left undeveloped."

And Henry Carver, chairman of the Wolverhampton Business Group, said: "The Royal Hospital is now just another derelict building in Wolverhampton.

"Tesco should demolish all but the listed parts of it.

"New options have to be considered if the supermarket is not going there, including exploring the possibility of housing."

Opposition Conservative leader at the city council, Wendy Thompson, said: "No-one is surprised by this but it is no less disappointing.

"Wolverhampton missed the boat when there was money to spend. The site must be re-developed."

Roy Stallard, who worked at the Royal Hospital for more than over three decades, had been given permission by from Tesco to build a new medical museum in the hospital's former chapel. Mr Stallard said: "I am not particularly surprised but I am extremely disappointed.

"We had completed all of our preparations for the museum, established a committee to oversee what we would do, raised funds, gathered artifacts so to hear the Tesco won't happen be built after all this time is devastating.

"I am still waiting to hear personally from Simon Peter, manager of corporate affairs at Tesco, who had promised me he would keep me up to date with any developments