Tesco store plans edge a step closer

By dblackmore david blackmore david.blackmore@essnmedia.co.uk

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.

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.