Update on plans for the old Tesco site in Cirencester 

The former Tesco supermarket in Farrell Close has been vacant since April of last year, but it could soon be redeveloped.

Churchill Retirement Living has submitted initial plans for a retirement complex with up to 70 apartments for older people.

The company submitted an application to Cotswold District Council for an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Opinion on Thursday, April 4. 

However, a full planning application has not yet been submitted.

Council planners now have to determine whether the proposed development will have a significant impact on the environment.

According to the planning document, plans will also include a number of “commercial units” which may be used as a retail, cafe, restaurant or office space.

The site became empty last year after Tesco decided to close its larger store and replace it with a new smaller Express store, which opened in nearby Cricklade Street.

The old Tesco in Farrell Close closed in April last year (Image: Newsquest)

The planning document reads: “The redevelopment of the site seeks to provide retirement living apartments together with up to 280sqm of commercial space. 

“The development includes communal areas, access, car parking and landscaping.

“The retirement living apartments will be provided in a single block. 

“The commercial uses will front onto Farrell Close to the north and part of Brewery Car Park to the east. 

“The end use for the commercial units is not yet known. It will either offer one large space or
could be split into smaller ones. 

“This could be used for retail, café, restaurant, office or studio/start-up space.

“This request seeks to screen up to 70 apartments, although it is likely that the number
of dwellings proposed in a future planning application will be less than this.”

Last year, Standard readers suggested what they would want to see on the site, with ideas including a cinema, an Iceland, a B&M, a Wetherspoons, and a Primark.

Meanwhile, at the time Cirencester Town Council said they would be holding an official consultation to ask the public for their views. 

Plans at an "early stage" says spokesperson 

A spokesperson for Churchill Retirement Living said: “Our potential interest in this site is at an early stage, and we have not submitted a formal planning application. 

“We have submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Opinion in order to understand if a full Environmental Impact Assessment would be required with any future application. 

“Churchill are considering a development of high-quality apartments designed for local over 60s who want to carry on living independently as they get older, in a central location, whilst enjoying the safety, support and social life that comes with being part of a retirement living community. 

“The proposals are also looking to include a number of commercial units. 

“Any plans we do submit would be designed to complement the Emerging Neighbourhood Plan and Town Centre Masterplan for Cirencester, and would be subject to future public consultation and engagement.” 

You can view the EIA screening opinion application here - tinyurl.com/yjvf2nkp

The old Tesco site is located next to the Brewery Car Park (Image: Google Maps)

The proposed site outlined in red from the EIA screening opinion application (Image: Churchill Retirement Living / Cotswold District Council)

The new Tesco Express in Cricklade Street opened in April last year (Image: Newsquest)