Big metal structure that will be supermarket and homes very visible from main road now

A new supermarket on a busy road is taking shape in Cheltenham as construction work continues. A Co-op store and housing is being built on the junction of Leckhampton Road and Pilley Lane on the site of the old Suzuki garage.

The Co-op is building the store to replace the one just across the road, located near the double mini-roundabouts where Leckhampton Road intersects with Church Road and Charlton Lane. It has a tiny car park which fills up rapidly and causes traffic hold-ups and confusion for drivers.

Cheltenham Borough Council gave the green light for the Co-op to move its store a short distance up the road to the old garage site last September. A previous attempt by the Co-op to demolish a neighbouring bungalow to expand the store was turned down by planners back in 2021.

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The new plans involve Boo Homes (Leckhampton Road) Ltd tearing down the former Wilkins Suzuki garage to make way for a new food store, eight one-bedroom flats, four two-bedroom flats and a couple of four-bedroom houses. The proposals drew objections from around 30 people, while an equal number of letters were sent to the council in support of the scheme.

Martin Chandler, the representative for the applicant, voiced his support for the proposals during the planning meeting on September 21. He stated that the scheme offered the chance to create a purpose-built, high-quality convenience store with ample parking.

"The proposal will eliminate the highway safety problems associated with the existing store and provide a bespoke facility that has been designed to be a good neighbour. The Co-op are entirely committed to this proposal and recognise it is a hugely beneficial change to their local retail offer."

Councillor Tony Oliver (LD, Warden Hill), a resident of the area for four decades, acknowledged the traffic issues with the current site and welcomed the new development when he spoke last year: "I do have concerns. Nothing is ever perfect. There will be consequences for the local community but I do think that overall the benefits outweigh the problems."

It is understood the existing Co-op store site will be sold off for housing. The new store would have 14 spaces for shoppers compared to the seven at the old shop.