Woolworths releases first artist’s impression of Bronte Metro supermarket
Woolies has revealed its vision for the controversial site of the former Bronte RSL, which has been subject to fierce community backlash and court battles over the past decade.
Wentworth Courier
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The site of the former Bronte RSL has been subject to controversy and court battles over the past decade.
Now, Woolworths has revealed what it has planned for 113 Macpherson St, releasing the first artist’s impression of its proposed shopfront.
The divisive proposal has been subject to a fierce community backlash since it was first flagged, with locals fearing it would gridlock the only street in and out of Bronte and see smaller retailers go out of business.
Woolworths, who lodged a development application for the project with Waverley Council last month, said the Metro supermarket would only be “one tenth” the size of its Bondi Junction store.
“At under 500 sqm, the proposal is substantially smaller than Metros in neighbouring suburbs and we have taken great care to ensure the store is designed to integrate with both the village feel of Macpherson St and the specific planning controls for this site,” Woolworths Metro general manager Justin Nolan said in July.
The Save Bronte group has been at the forefront of the opposition to the supermarket giant’s plans, taking its case against developing the former RSL all the way to the Land and Environment Court over the years.
Stephen Lightfoot, who has led that charge, previously told the Wentworth Courier the Metro supermarket was “exactly what the community doesn’t want”.
A Woolworths spokeswoman said the community consultation held on August 3 had “gone well”.
The site has seen numerous proposals in recent years, though Woolworths’ plans represent the furthest any iteration has got before hitting a speedbumb on its road to construction.
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