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Plans have been submitted to demolish an abandoned restaurant and upgrade it with a Tesco. The proposed convenience store progression is for the former Tulip Wok in Smallthorne.
The former Ford Green Road restaurant, which once served as The Bush pub, has been closed for more than five years. At the time, arsonists were attacked, and following the coronavirus lockdown, 250 hashish plants were discovered inside the building.
In October last year, Stoke-on-Trent City Council rejected retrospective plans to turn the vacant site into a “car sales, wash and valet centre”. Today, plans have been submitted to the local government on behalf of Randhawa Property Group to create a business unit that will be occupied through supermarket giant Tesco.
The progression would come with 18 visitor parking areas, adding two handicapped areas and two electric vehicle charging areas, as well as six formalized areas, adding one handicapped area, to be used through the business unit. Six bicycle areas will also be available for guests.
The Design and Access Statement states: “The proposal relates to the demolition of the existing vacant unit to allow for use as a food store (Tesco), the modification of the parking lot design, and other related works. The proposal aims to demolish the vacant unit to create a well-designed and modern food retail space.
“Our proposal is based on maintaining the existing perimeter walls to the north and south. We proposed a new visitor front with a point from Ford Green Road. The proposal also includes the redesign of the existing car fleet and retail store. Create a parking area good enough for visitors.
“The proposal would aim to make positive use of a recently abandoned structure that wishes to be regenerated to bring a positive effect back to the area. The design has remained undeniable with a modern, white aesthetic at all elevations. We believe this is the maximum design solution suitable for our proposal.
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