Anger at plans for Tesco store (From Echo)
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Anger at plans for Tesco store
11:00am Friday 5th September 2008 in News
Notices on the former church object to plans for a Tesco store
CAMPAIGNERS are fighting supermarket giant Tesco’s bid to expand in Leigh.
Plans have been submitted to demolish a former Christian Science Church centre on the corner of Lindisfarne Avenue and London Road, Leigh, and build flats and a new store on the site and unused land behind it.
People fighting the plans have spray painted “No to Tesco” on the building and put up “Go away Tesco” signs inside.
The planning application, which is under public consultation, clearly names Tesco Express, but bosses were not willing to confirm any plans.
Tesco already has eight stores within a five-mile radius, seven of which are local Express stores as well as the large Extra store on Prince Avenue, Westcliff.
The multi-national retailer has also got the go-ahead to build a new £150million Tesco superstore on the former B&Q site on Short Street, Southend, which should be completed by 2011.
Neighbour Nicola Wenbourne, 32, said: “It is not in the right area. They want to open until 10pm and we all know if they want to go 24 hours then they will.
“We have only been given until September 12 to comment on the plan, which is only a few weeks and a lot of people are still on holiday. Leigh is a community and this will impact on the small family-run businesses in the area. Tesco will also attract its own problems with kids hanging about outside.”
Len Smith, who lives opposite the site in a block of flats which boasts a green plot with rare preserved trees, fears the development will require a pedestrian crossing and further parking on the grass verge which will further affect residents.
He added: “In my view this is a unique part of Leigh as it is all residential. The A13 has retail units all along it from Hadleigh to Southend, except for this particular part.”
Carol Leslie, spokeswoman for Tesco, said: “We are always on the lookout for possible new stores all over the country. Often agreements for new stores do not materialise. We cannot confirm or deny at this stage an agreement for the Leigh store has been reached.”
She added if the store did open, it was unlikely to affect business at the other stores.
Southend Council’s head of planning and transport Steven Kearney, said the plans adhered to parking standards of one parking space per 14 square metres of retail space.
Comments(12)
Real World Occupant
says...
11:52am Fri 5 Sep 08
How many times have you needed something that a local little shop doesn't stock, or if it does then its 3 times the price of tesco!
perini12
says...
12:29pm Fri 5 Sep 08
leighman
says...
3:15pm Fri 5 Sep 08
There is Somerfield at the Elms, CO op about 150 yards the Southend side of it another 200 or so yards toward Southend is an Iceland outlet, add to that the Co op in Leigh road. Get real Tesco! We are at saturation point, plus as has been said, this is a unique section of the A13 with its mature trees, broad verges and residential status.
How long before these verges were turned into something resembling a ploughed field when people who are to bone idle to walk more than 20 feet from their vehicle park on them to nip in for 20 fags and a trans fat laden snack?
This are cries out to be spared from retail outlets of this kind, I also am led to believe that the church isnt the only property in question....The Lindisfarne Florist next door is also looking remarkably empty!
Finally not to many years ago plans were afoot to build a LIDL on the old dairy site, permission was refused, let us hope the same sense will prevail, but I suppose it depends on whose palm has been greased.
Grund1
says...
7:28pm Fri 5 Sep 08
No! not another one.
When will this company stop ? Their spokeswoman said,'the new store was unlikely to affect business at other stores'. If so, where on earth are customers coming from? This area is well served already and Tesco should be sent packing. Why do people think this company is so wonderful?
I believe that a development such as this and on this particular site is totally unecessary and should never be allowed. Grund1
Thames Gateway
says...
9:02am Sat 6 Sep 08
Definite NO from me
Ray Von
says...
5:43pm Sun 7 Sep 08
Wizardweb
says...
3:12pm Mon 8 Sep 08
Weaveand
says...
5:09pm Mon 8 Sep 08
• Fillerbrook Avenue and Lindisfarne Ave are used as access points to a school which is in very close proximity of the proposed development, this may be seen as a disregard to child safety.
• The height of the proposed building in such a residential area would undoubtedly have adverse visual effects to local and adjacent buildings within the area.
• It could be argued that there is currently too much local life within the Leigh area.
• Leigh on Sea has been often commented for having too many flats in this area.
• Noise levels during construction and during operation of the business (such as deliveries etc)
• Additional noise levels from visiting traffic.
• Increasing volume of traffic entering and leaving London Road proposed parking area, would constitute an increase in danger of accidents. Yes, I understand the size of the parking area was and can be used to it’s maximum as it was many years ago. However, it was used twice a day, ONCE a week, NOT as a place of continued entrance and exiting to the London Road in continuous use.
• I can not think of any retail development that is required nor a market for in this locality.
• I have serious concerns that if this business were to be successful, this would possibly dissolve other local traders and businesses.
• If this business is unsuccessful, a visual and vacant eyesore building will be extremely close to my residents.
• This development is more likely to decrease the value of my property and the properties within close proximity (speculated 10-20%)
• Also, because the nature of the business of the retailer is not specified by the application, there is local concern regarding trading hours of ANY retailer on that development.
• Invasion of privacy to close proximity residents by a 4th floor roof garden.
• The proposed building is significantly larger than the present building.
I gather there is no need to wonder if I support such a plan!?
john1970
says...
1:36pm Tue 9 Sep 08
londonroadresident
says...
10:10am Wed 10 Sep 08
This Tesco store would be equally damaging.
This is aside from the disturbance to local residents and traffic problems this ugly store/flats development will cause.
The plans must be refused.
john1970
says...
1:26pm Thu 11 Sep 08
WHAT LOCAL SHOPS! All the once useful everyday shops in the broadway & Leigh Road are now coffee shops bars & interior design shops. And the green grocer opposite Chalkwell park closed years ago!! or are you referring to the dingy, dark & overpriced mini mart opposite the park? if so let it close down!!!! its terrible.
alcoli777
says...
3:50pm Thu 11 Sep 08
blogspot.com/
The plans are abhorrent, a monstrous over-development in a peaceful residential area.
A 3 storey carbuncle with Tesco's is simply not needed nor welcomed!
Please visit the attached blog to object to the proposal. This type of rampant commercialism has to be stopped.
http://noleightesco.
blogspot.com/
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