“There are non so blind as those who choose not to see.Perhaps the traffic chaos in Ashtead is caused by the 80% of Ashtead residents who vote with their wallets and drive to Leatherhead and Epsom.Another huge factor is the never ending series of work in Woodfield lane and The Street. Anyone who thinks Ashtead is quaint or unique is deluded.It is like one of those faded seaside towns past it's sell by date living on it's fading charm.What will stop the cash and the customers leaking out of the village? another mini market ?”

“The powers-that-are suggest:

¿If you consider that you qualify for a Council Tax discount please complete the appropriate form, if you disagree with the Council's decision about a discount, you can appeal in writing to the Council Tax Section explaining your reasons for disagreement¿

List all issues that will / are affecting your way of life compared to the situation you were in ¿pre-planning submission¿ and what will change for you and your family through ¿possible approval¿ of the proposed scheme. Compare yours and your family¿s situation regarding additional traffic nuisance and danger, environmental change i.e. increased Co2 by delivery vehicles and the additional traffic movement in and out of the car parks, compare the potential exacerbation of anti-social behavior, noise and disruption generally.

Make a note of all of the councilors that approved the proposals and, wipe their names off your list of candidates for the forthcoming local elections.

Simple!”

“It is now very important to take the emotion - elation or despair out of this and work together to help everyone get a win.

The analysis showed that traffic was going to be a real problem as well as parking. That was a fact unbelievably glossed over by the Planning Offier with "Oh well it will get passed eventually, I thought we could deal with these problems when they arise" :0

It is also true that some traders, although not a majority, want help with more footfall in the village.

How can we help all get a good result - a win/win?

A shop of the right size - maybe 2/3 the size of the latest proposal - might suit everyone.

But how to get Tesco's to listen is the problem.

One way is to get the council to retain control of the Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall car park. This would mean Tesco's have to listen to local concerns.

This could happen very quickly if councillors make a speedy decision in this direction.

I have no problem with Tesco and/or another retailer opening a shop of the right size. However, without emotion, I don't want Ashtead even more clogged with traffic or to mess up local roads with the overflow parking.

If we pull together we can get a result that suits everyone. Everyone can feel like they win rather than have one group or another feel defeated.

Best,

Barry Smale”

“Whilst I am pleased at the outcome re Tesco, which reflects the clear wishes of the people of Ashtead, I am very disappointed and angry at the narrow vote.

Despite the many valid concerns raised it was still only an 8-7 vote. This means that seven councillors chose to ignore the many valid issues raised and the almost unanimous wishes of the people of Ashtead. One wonders on what basis these councillors made their decisions.

Everyone should try and take the time to view the webcast on the MVDC website of the Development Control Committee meeting which made the decision. It is a real eye opener as, although rather long, it shows us a lot about our local councillors and their attitudes to their electorate. There are some who clearly reflected the community's concerns, but there are others who quite openly disregarded them. One councillor even went so far as to suggest that councillors should ignore the 6,000+ signature petition and the 1,100+ letters to the MVDC website. Also surprising were the largely unsatisfactory answers from council officers to the very valid questions from councillors, particularly with regard to traffic, safety and parking issues.

At the end of the webcast one comes away with the feeling that the people of Ashtead are having to fight not only Tesco but also their elected councillors.”

“Disappointing to see that 3 Leatherhead councillors voted in favour of Tescos, despite the huge number of local residents signing the petition.
I look forward to reading their reasons why.
Perhaps L'head residents should remember this in the forthcoming local elections.”

“The local papers, wants a picture of as many supporters of the successful, "No to Tesco's Planning Proposal" campaign.
So if you are free tomorrow (Saturday 6th February) at 12:00am, come and join us in The Street, outside the old Esso site, for our celebratory photo shoot.”

“Here Here Nigel. Totally agree. Why should we let a national monopoly chain dictate what food we buy at what price and enjoy looking at a once thriving Street end up full of takeaways and boarded up shops.
To the point about monopoly, many non-Tesco branded products in Tesco Leatherhead have already been replaced by the Tesco Value Range, the Tesco trade brands version, the Tesco Finest version and the Tesco Standard version with the choice of non-Tesco branded product diminshing fast.
The debate is of course about Ashtead`s future and a suitable development for the location, but it also needs to be about Tesco and its local and national dominance....”

“I admit it. I do not want 3 Tescos 1 mile from my Ashtead doorstep but would accept another chain AND one that is not open until 11pm every night

This is such a blatant local retail monopoly in the making and yet we seem to have competition tests in many other industries, so why not supermarkets????

What this now needs is a competition commission directive for a local monopoly test. Lets hope someone in our vast public services gets a grip of this farce”

“Come on everybody - no anonymous comments or pseudonyms please. If you won't put your name on this forum or in your letters to the paper don't expect any serious reader to take any notice of what you have to say.”

“Having watched the meeting via Mole Valley webcasting it is clear it is not about saying no to a Tesco store it is more complex. In fact Tesco would be welcomed in an apropriate sized store for the site with adequate parking for all. There needs to be a provison for long term parking for those who pay a permit at present. Parking consideration for the highly used Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall and Tesco's staff. I believe inadequate parking and traffic congestion would in fact discourage residents to use The Street if the current plans went ahead. The names of the councillors who voted and how they voted can be found on the Ashtead Residents Association website. View the webcast for yourself and find out the details before you make a judgement. It is very likely Tesco will appeal, it is not over yet.”