Tesco plans in Norwich refused – campaigning works!

Yet another article showing that Councillors are often able to reject such applications, even against the advice of council officials. (See more cases elsewhere.)

Why we booted out new Tesco plans [in Norwich]

Controversial plans to build a Tesco Express on Unthank Road have yet again been rejected in what was today hailed by opponents to the store as a victory for democracy.

Councillors on City Hall’s planning committee yesterday overwhelmingly rejected proposals for the store on a former petrol station site for the second time in a month on grounds of highway safety and congestion.

The application by the supermarket giant was turned down in a previous planning committee meeting on December 6, against the recommendation for approval by planning officers, but councillors then asked officers to produce a report setting out the exact wording for the reasons for refusal.


But instead in an unusual move the officers warned the councillors’ reasons for refusal would not stand up to scrutiny or a possible appeal by Tesco, and urged the committee to reconsider their previous ruling and approve the store.

The officers’ suggestion was rebutted at yesterday’s meeting, when councillors, on the casting vote of committee chairman David Bradford decided to stick to their original refusal.

They then agreed almost unanimously on the wording of their reasons for refusal, with just one councillor, Evelyn Collishaw, abstaining and no one voting against the reasoning – that it would cause congestion and jams.

The decision was met with cheers from members of the public concerned at the plans who packed the committee room for the two-hour debate.

But officers made clear before the meeting officers could not support refusal of the scheme, with fears Tesco would win on appeal and leave the council facing a legal bill of tens of thousands of pounds.

David Bradford, Labour city councillor for Crome ward and chairman of the planning committee, said: “It was something that a lot of people felt strongly about but equally there were people who felt there was a need for a Tesco there.

“It was not an anti-Tesco decision, it was just felt that it was not an appropriate site and it would cause traffic problems – lots of local expressions of concern won the day in the end and it was another call for local democracy and hopefully it is seen as such.”

Jenny Lay, Labour councillor for Crome ward, said: “We hope that it’s a win for democracy but that’s yet to be seen. I think Tesco will come back or go to an appeal.

“As councillors we had to consider people’s opinion, it’s their area and they have a right to have an opinion, and we did think there was definitely a traffic danger to the public.”

Tom Llewellyn, Green Party councillor for Wensum, added: “I think it’s a victory for democracy. It’s uplifting and a good thing that the decision we made has been reaffirmed today.”

Mick Banham, Labour member for the Sewell ward, said: “As far as I was concerned we rejected the application full stop on December 6 and today was to determine the detail of the reasons for rejection.

“Officers gave their opinion but after listening to the committee members our case is strengthened.”

Hereward Cooke, Liberal Democrat member for Lakenham, added: “Tesco has the right to appeal but as councillors we see congestion as a plausible reason to reject the application and we all stand by that.”

The outcome was welcomed by campaigners on the Residents Against Unthank Tesco (RAUT) group.

Spokeswoman Bridget Barne added: “We are pleased but it should never have come to this. The officers should have accepted the result of the decision made on December 6 Democracy has won through. Local elected representatives have not given in.”

Derek Pardey, fellow RAUT campaigner, added: “We hope Tesco will recognise this isn’t the correct place to put a convenience store and release the land for housing. I would urge them to do the decent thing.

Andrew Boswell, Norfolk County Green councillor for Nelson ward, who spoke against the Tesco application, added: “This decision is a good step for the democratic process. What’s really been of concern is that there appears to be a lack of support for the previous decision.

“The officers didn’t make a strong case, that had to come from outside the meeting. We do now have a strong case and a defendable case and the democratic process has been restored.”

It is now up to Tesco to consider whether to appeal against the ruling, accept defeat or submit a new application which could overcome the opposition on grounds of congestion and highways safety.

A spokeswoman said: “As we said at the last committee meeting we are disappointed by the decision and equally very surprised that the members did not listen to the professional advice of their planning officer who recommended that this application should be approved.

“We will await the decision notice and consider our options.”

The Unthank Road store ruling is the second to go against Tesco in Norfolk in recent months. In November a North Norfolk Council committee rejected a new supermarket in Sheringham.

Last month the authority revealed it had saved up a £500,000 fighting fund to fight a possible appeal by the retailer and meet legal costs if the committee’s decision was judged unreasonable.

Tesco bosses revealed yesterday work on a new store in Aylsham would start in the next few days, with an opening date pencilled in for the summer.

Are you fighting a planning application in your area? Call Sam Williams on 01603 772447 or e-mail sam.williams@archant.co.uk

Norwich Evening News, 4th January 2008.

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