Our town's aging retail emporium. Photo by Adrian Rothery.
This is just a short post to point out that there’s recently been a planning application submitted (Walsall planning application number: 09/1832/FL) relating to the Tesco Store in Brownhills, but it’s not what one might expect. Indeed, it’s rather surprising. Spotted by a keen-eyed reader, the retail giant has applied for planning permission to erect a generator system on the roof of the existing store.
The application – submitted just before last Christmas – concerns the installation of a fairly large Combined Heat and Power unit, the explanation of which can be found here (PDF file, Adobe Reader required) in documents submitted along with the proposal. In essence, it’s an engine-driven electrical generator, the exhaust gasses of which can either be used to provide hot water or drive refrigeration equipment.
Given that we were being led to expect news of a new development in by the company in Brownhills, it seems a little odd that Tesco should consider spending what must be a considerable sum of money to install plant at a supposedly life-expired store. I note the literature suggests this equipment can pay for itself ‘in as little as two years’. Hmmm.
If anyone has any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me in confidence; brownhillsbob at googlemail dot com.