Villagers challenge store’s application

Piles of rubble now stand on the site where the disputed arch used to be

Heritage row over demolished arch

Villagers from Greenfield are pleading with Tesco to rebuild the landmark Wellington Mill arch that has already been demolished.

As part of original planning consent, the supermarket giant has to incorporate the arch and original building facade into the design of the new store on Chew Valley Road.

But tomorrow Tesco will ask the council’s planning committee to remove the obligation to rebuild the landmark and instead install a display board charting the history of the building.

Mike Rooke, from the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association, said: “It is not acceptable — a display board would be virtual heritage rather than the real thing.

“If this is accepted it will set a dangerous precedent for future decisions about the site.

“Tesco would save thousands in not rebuilding the arch and that should go to the community as compensation if they don’t put it back.”

Tesco said that the proposed relocation of the frontage has hit troubles due to an existing sewer and complications with the foundations required to rebuild the feature.

The supermarket would also need approval from United Utilities, which would require access to the sewers for future maintenance.

Due to an email sent in favour of the objections, Councillor Mike Buckley will not vote at the meeting. He said: “This new move is an insult, 99 per cent of what was there has been lost and this was just a token, and now they’re not even prepared to offer that.

“It has stood there since the 1850s and was named after the Duke of Wellington. I’ll be extremely sad to see it go. Yet another piece of our local heritage that could be lost.”

Saddleworth Parish Council recommended approval of the application.