Supermarket convenience store plans for former doctors' surgery

Plans are being considered by Wakefield Council to knock down the vacant South Kirkby Health Centre building on Barnsley Road (pictured right).

A single-storey 395 sq m shop, complete with 18 parking spaces and an ATM is then proposed.

The site was bought by Calderwood Property Developments Ltd in June, who has submitted the blueprints.

As part of a planning statement included in the application, the company said: “The proposed retail unit would serve the day-to-day shopping needs, so called ‘top-up’ or ‘basket’ shopping, of people who reside in the immediate area.

“It would contribute to the local economy by providing employment opportunities - the Co-op store would employ approximately 20 members of staff, a mixture of part-time and full-time with a range of shift patterns.

“The vacant brownfield site will be regenerated to a high standard to provide a local convenience store.”

The plans have attracted some criticism from nearby residents who have listed a number of concerns.

These include additional traffic problems on an already-busy road.

One said: “We also have a Co-op, One-Stop, McColl’s, Costcutter and a Premier store all in South Kirkby - how many supermarkets can one village support? Surely adding another would not help the village.”