Tycoon unveils major development scheme
NEWMARKET JOURNAL JAN 2011. QUEENSBURY LODGE RETAIL PROJECT.
PROPERTY tycoon Bill Gredley has unveiled a controversial scheme which could see an Asda store with car parking for more than 300 cars built on paddocks at Newmarket’s historic Fitzroy House stables.
The 40,000 sq ft supermarket plan is part of a bigger project which would see the High Street Total garage demolished to make way for a four-storey, 90-bed hotel and a large retail development with parking for nearly 70 cars which would occupy part of the site left vacant when the town’s former swimming pool was demolished.
The project, by Mr Gredley’s Unex Group, also details proposals to refurbish the nearby Queensbury Lodge and cottage, turning them into shops, and convert the stables into a bar and restaurant with parking for 33 cars.
The scheme would be served by road and pedestrian links from the High Street, where a new roundabout is proposed at the Dullingham Road junction. There would be an access to the Asda site across the horse walk in Rowley Drive, although Mr Gredley said that would only be available after noon to avoid clashes with horse traffic.
The plan is in direct conflict with local planning policy aimed at protecting the town’s racing industry but speaking to town councillors on Monday Mr Gredley said that policy was “worn out” and claimed Forest Heath District Council and the town’s Horsemen’s Group (NHG) had supported the plan with conditions.
But group spokesman William Gittus said: “The Newmarket Horsemen’s Group (NHG) is keen for the long-running saga of Queensbury Lodge to be resolved, and for the High Street in Newmarket to flourish. However, the site on which Unex proposes to build a large supermarket, hotel, restaurant consists of a historic racing yard and paddock land, covered by the saved racing policies.
“Over the last decade there have been opportunities for this site to be returned to racing industry use which the owners have chosen to frustrate. NHG met Unex before Christmas and explored what we consider to be a very fair compromise. Regrettably, the plan outlined to the town council failed to take into account most of our suggestions and concerns.”
l This week Morrisons has submitted plans for a new supermarket on the former gasworks site in Newmarket’s Exning Road. The proposal includes parking for 236 cars and a restaurant.
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