Development news: What's going up and coming down
DOMINOES pizza is the latest multi-national chain store being linked to a move to Harborough, one of a number of intriguing planning developments bubbling away behind the scenes.
Building schemes have taken a back seat over the past 18 months in Harborough due to the credit-crunch but the Mail has learned that a number of sites could soon see exciting projects get under way.
Industry sources have revealed to the Mail that national pizza chain Dominoes is very interested in opening an outlet at the Peaker Park site, off Rockingham Road, in Harborough. They would join Tesco at the site, which has already confirmed its intention of moving to town.
The Mail has also learned that behind-closed-doors negotiations have been taking place in regards the Kwik Save site in Northampton Road. The building has long been mentioned as the ideal site for a two-screen cinema and the Mail understands several offers are being put to owners Alislane.
There was further optimism last week when developers behind the huge Airfield Farm scheme, mooted for the outskirts of Harborough, applied to Harborough Council to extend it's five-year limit on building the project. Once granted planning permission, building work has to commence within five years else permission is revoked.
The fact developers William Davis want to extend this time soon-to-expire period is being seen as a positive sign for the future of the residential and businesses estate.
Vacant Kwik Save site has long been mooted for cinema
DREAMS of Harborough getting its own 21st century cinema facility seem to rise and fall with the fate of this former supermarket building.
Kwik Save left town in 2005 and the building has been derelict ever since. It is owned by London firm Alislane which originally sought planning consent to build a shops and retail scheme at the site - until the credit-crunch bit.
Marks and Spencer would have moved there had a national deal not been secured which meant it took over the Iceland store (now B&M Bargains) in the Commons car park instead.
Over the past fortnight, the Mail has learned a number of separate negotiations are taking place, or are due to take place, with site owners Alislane. Developers with deep pockets are said to be interested but it is not clear if all the talks would involve the retention of a cinema element.
South Leicestershire College was once linked to a move there, which would involve a cinema, but its interest is thought to have waned.
A campaign to bring a cinema back to Harborough for the first time since the 1970s was launched in 2008 and a petition eventually attracted more than 8,000 signatures.
Prospects of it happening: 2 out of 5. There have been numerous false dawns.
Golden future for former office
ASBESTOS removal is thought to have started at the former Golden Wonder headquarters in Abbey Street, just off Harborough town centre.
The Mail exclusively revealed in November that the building- vacant since January 2006 - had been bought by Rushton-based Hazelton Commercial Ltd.
The firm's managing director Tom Hazelton has told the Mail that "exciting" plans for a shops and restaurant complex are being drawn up.
It was mentioned during a Harborough District Council executive meeting last month that asbestos removal had begun at the site.
Prospects of it happening: 4 out of 5. Hazelton has a good record of projects in town.
*Do you have a tip-off about an exciting new development coming to Harborough? Email alex.blackwell@harboroughmail.co.uk
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Weather for Harborough
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -7 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 1 C
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