Tesco plans for supermarket in Ashtead go to appeal
A SUPERMARKET giant’s plans to build a store in a village has gone to appeal.
Mole Valley District Council had given the thumbs-down to Tesco’s proposed development in The Street, Ashtead because it was felt it would "dominate" the village.
However, the supermarket chain has appealed against the decision made at the council’s development control meeting on March 4.
James Wiggam, corporate affairs manager, said: "We believe that the provision of a small foodstore in Ashtead will significantly improve the shopping offer in the village.
"We were disappointed by the recent decision and remain committed to providing jobs and significant investment on this underused site."
The decision on whether the scheme goes ahead now lies with the Planning Inspectorate, based in Bristol.
If the inspectorate overturns the district council’s decision, Tesco will put a 12,000 sq ft store with nine flats above on the former petrol station site.
Comments
by Living by a noisy and invasive development, Brockham
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 2:57PM
“If my experience of a planning appeal is anything to go by, do not hold your breath for the support of Mole Valley District Council. The attitude of the Planning department appears to be so laid back they are great at sitting on fences, and are not concerned at all for the residents of the borough. We have developers blatantly convening stipulations laid down by the Planning Inspector and MVDC are not in the least bit interested at intervention. They appear not to want to perturb the developer. We are experiencing nothing short of bullying and our privacy has been totally invaded. I wish you luck in Ashtead with the appeal, but - do not bank on support of the council. It will not happen. I do hope for your sake that the Inspector looks and studies the appeal favourably and you achieve the result you are looking for. We are now contemplating asking for a reduction in council tax, wonder what they might do or not do then?”