Tesco store plans edge a step closer
Campaingers fighting against a new Tesco in Ashtead are "gobsmacked" that the county council has no objections to the plans.
Surrey County Council's highways department told district council planners yesterday it did not oppose plans for a store in The Street, Ashtead, subject to conditions. This means the supermarket giant is a step closer to developing the former petrol station site.
-
Future? :Tesco want to build a store in Ashtead
The news has shocked campaign group SAVE which is fighting the plans.
Gillian Russell, spokeswoman, said: "I can't believe they would have no objection. We are deeply shocked by the news and I am gobsmacked to be honest."
Quentin Armitage, also from the campaign group, added: "The highway issues are the same as before so I don't see what has changed.
"The planned improvements to the junction of Woodfield Lane and The Street are inadequate."
Chairman of the Ashtead Residents' Association, Paul Le Versha, has also spoken of his shock at the news.
He said: "This is a disappointing and surprising development. It is difficult to understand how Surrey highways can have concluded that the revised proposals do not create very similar problems to those that they considered unacceptable on the first application.
"We consider that there are some potentially serious traffic problems associated with this proposal which Tesco has not adequately addressed."
Chris Grayling, MP for Ashtead, who has sent a letter of objection to planners about Tesco's bid, added: "I am surprised that the highways officers have not put forward any objections."
Eoin Dardis, a spokesman for Tesco, said the company was hopeful the plan will be approved. He said: "We think it will have a positive impact on the village."
Councillors will make a final decision on February 3.
5 Comments
by Susan Jones, Ashtead
Monday, February 01 2010, 11:57AM
“Can I be a small voice in the wilderness? The Tesco in Craddocks Parade has revitalised the shops there - bringing in customers - big queues for the adjacent butcher/baker are now a common sight. Granted, the Tesco in The Street will be much larger and more disruptive, but surely the same will happen - shoppers simply driving through on their way to Epsom/Dorking will stop, and may even have a look around. Speaking for myself, I shop at the Tescos in Leatherhead - but would probably go up to The Street instead, and then wander along to the cafe for a coffee, pop in the other shops, have a mooch about.”
by James, Ashtead
Tuesday, January 26 2010, 6:00PM
“Ashtead's noisy minority? I'm not sure we're a minority.
I'm anti-any-supermarket in Ashtead. There's already a giant Tesco, a Waitrose and a Sainsbury's in Leatherhead or Epsom, just around the corner, as well as the existing smaller Tesco which is in Ashtead right now.
Ashtead is one of the few places left in the country with a vibrant set of independent food shops and they're under serious threat if this application goes ahead.
We'll be just another stop in identikit supermarket land. Once our shops are lost, we'll never reclaim them.”
by Steve Wilson, Ashtead
Sunday, January 24 2010, 9:10PM
“Getting very confused by Ashtead's noisy minority :-
a) are they just anti Tesco - any shape , any size
b) quite happy with the size of it, had it been a Waitrose instead
c) the accident black spot junction is of great local entertainment and should remain for Resident's amusement
d) prefer to leave the old Esso site untouched as 'a site of historic interest/outstanding natural beauty'.”
by Tes Go, Ashtead
Saturday, January 23 2010, 5:14PM
“Ashtead councillors better watch themselves, the views of the community are very clear. WE DON'T WANT THIS PLANNED TESCO!!
If the council allows this, I'm sure they WILL BE VOTED OUT!
Because I for one will be campaign against any councillor that votes for Tesco.”
by Judy Smale, Ashtead
Saturday, January 23 2010, 2:11PM
“Sick of the weasel words from Tesco's. They are definitely not listening to the views of Ashtead residents - I've not come across anyone yet who doesn't want the store reduced significantly in size. That was clear from the ARA meeting where - whilst there was support for something - EVERYONE including the supporters asked for something significantly smaller.I hope the councillors are hearing the detail on why this will create traffic, parking and polution problems.”