Tesco has resubmitted plans for the Freshwater Co-op site takeover, removing the huge gantry sign planners had rejected.
Last month, a planning application to install Tesco signs on and around the newly acquired Freshwater store was rejected due to one sign being too tall.
Objectors said the gantry sign, which would sit on the side of Afton Road, was ‘visually intrusive’, standing at 5.7 metres tall and internally illuminated – despite similar signs appearing at supermarkets across the Island. It compared to the current Co-op sign at only 4.3 metres, which was only lit during store hours.
Council officers had significant concerns over the gantry sign which led to the rejection of the application.
3 days after the rejection, Tesco has now submitted another planning application for signage but without the gantry sign. This application, 21/01936/ADV, seeks to install the signage council planning officers had deemed appropriate but does not include the gantry sign.
You can view the plans for the store signage on the council’s planning portal, with comments accepted until Friday 5th November.
The sale of the Southern Co-Operative store was announced in June earlier this year, with it expected to be finalised in the Autumn.
No date has yet been announced for the closure or the re-opening of the new superstore, but Island Echo expects it to be in the first quarter of 2022.
So the community of Freshwater still can’t improve there standard of living and have to continue to pay high prices for food and basics because of a sign. Planning could of been approved with a condition of this sign not. Now have to wait, spose at least Tesco’s will have to pay another application fee so I will get a rebate on me council tax.