Councillor Gilbert is so wrong when he says we need the new Tesco building in Southend as soon as possible (May 8).

This building will attract extra traffic to the area surrounding the site, and in due course it could also cause a number of important retail outlets on the High Street to close and move on.

Tesco is employing its usual delaying tactics to try yet again to get out of their agreement with our councillors serving on development control committee.

It is not too long ago when it insisted that to build “affordable housing”

as agreed on a previous planning application, could no longer be afforded.

This from one of the world’s largest and richest supermarket chains with capital in excess of £24billion.

Where is the company’s community spirit?

Perhaps it is in their shareholders’ pockets.

I would appeal both to our councillors and planning officers to stick to their guns and refuse any further reduction on the Section 106 agreement.

Jim Clinkscales
Former Lib Dem councillor
Lindisfarne Avenue
Leigh