Tesco's third store bid is rejected (From The Northern Echo)

Tesco's third store bid is rejected

9:00pm Wednesday 12th December 2007 in

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SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has again been denied opening a store in Darlington on the site of a former petrol station.

After two previous refusals for Tesco to open its first store in Darlington in North Road, the company put in a fresh bid.

But its third set of plans were rejected by councillors today at the council's planning committee on the advice of council officers.

Planning officials put forward five reasons to refuse the application.

They included: * It would be contrary to planning guidelines about out of town shopping.

* Tesco had failed to demonstrate the need for the store.

* Tesco had also failed to show the store could not be built elsewhere.

* The plans would lead to a reduction in consumer choice because other shops may close.

* The store would generate extra traffic.

For the third time Tesco's bid had generated huge opposition in the Harrowgate Hill area of Darlington.

The council received 331 letters of objection and a petition signed by 508 names.

Concerns included problems with over-competition, extra cars in the area and the impact on the residential amenity.

Malcolm Thompson, owner of nearby Premier Stores, said Tesco had also underestimated the turnover of other stores.

He said: "As a small trader I was flabbergasted and annoyed. My sales was underestimated by 570 per cent."

Christine Hall, a local campaigner, said: "The majority of residents are unhappy that Tesco are disregarding people's concerns time and time again."

Ward councillor Gill Cartwright added residents were becoming "battle weary".

A planning consultant on behalf of Tesco said: "It is a small local store to fill the gap in North Road.

"It is aimed at selling goods that people need everyday. It is essentially packets of corn flakes and tins of custard."

Based on Tesco's own figures, council planning officer David Coates said: "It cannot be described as a local shop."

Councillors unanimously rejected the application and were particularly concerned what effect it would have on the other stores in the area.