Three major retailers are coming to Ely – as long as developers can satisfy planners that water vole and bat populations will be protected, Spotted in Ely can reveal.
Last week, East Cambridgeshire District Council gave the green light for the construction of budget supermarket chain Lidl, bargain store B&M and DIY chain Wickes, in an out of town development near Angel Drove.
But before work can start, East Cambridgeshire District Council has asked for a plan detailing how populations of water voles and bats will be protected during construction and once the development is completed.
The two species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Developers also have to supply a detailed document, stating how they plan to remove and manage pest plant Japanese knotweed from the site.
As long as they can meet these and other conditions, Healy Investments have been given permission to proceed with the new development at Octagon Business Park.
Supermarket giant Tesco had initially planned to move to the site but pulled out in 2015 after suffering financial losses.
The new development will include 313 car parks, 18 disabled parking spaces and 66 cycle parks, and is expected to create the equivalent of 604 full-time jobs.
It includes a new, stand alone Lidl store, which would take up 29,790 square foot over two floors, as well as a 20,000 square foot, one floor building housing B&M.
The third proposed unit is a 26,000 square foot, two-floor building housing DIY store Wickes.
The application includes 313 car parks, 18 disabled parking spaces and 66 cycle parks.
Construction can take place between 8am and 6pm throughout the week and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, with no building allowed on Sundays, Bank holidays or public holidays, to minimise disruption to neighbours.
The Ely Southern Bypass, due to be completed this summer, would be located directly to the south of the site, with the nearest bus stop being at Tesco, about 600 metres to the northeast.
The application can be viewed here.
