CEN article: Tesco in shock Mill Road move
[We contacted the journalist responsible for this piece to follow up various inaccuracies. Following our press release, the CEN subsequently issued another news article which gives better coverage.]
ANGRY Tesco bosses have bypassed slow moving councillors over plans for its Mill Road store, the News can reveal.
The supermarket giant has had enough of delays and has lodged an appeal with the planning inspectorate after the council postponed making a decision on the controversial applications last week.
Campaigners were given a last-minute stay of execution when the scheme was shelved because planning officers decided the report did not go into the issues in enough detail.
But the hold-up has led Tesco to bypass councillors and go straight to the top.
Cambridge City Council’s delays on the supermarket giant’s three applications for an Express shop in Mill Road could hit taxpayers’ pockets.
Tesco has applied for permission to extend the former Wilco building and install new signs and a cash machine.
Planning officers had recommended the plans for approval despite a massive public outcry.
More than 5,000 people signed a petition against the plans, and more than 1,100 have written letters of objection.
The No Mill Road Tesco campaign submitted a complaint to the council saying the report was “flawed”.
The move by Tesco to bypass the local planning route follows the council’s failure to make a decision on the applications within normal timescales.
Tesco has also lodged three new duplicate applications with the council.
In an appeal situation the Tesco applications will be decided by an independent planning inspector instead of the council.
However, local councillors could still choose to vote on the new applications, therefore avoiding the need for an appeal.
Government guidance is that applications of this size are usually decided within eight weeks. Failure to do so can lead to financial penalties for the local council.
Tesco lodged its plans for the store on September 17 – 18 weeks ago.
A Tesco spokesman said: “We have been left no option. Four months on we still have no decision from the council. This creates uncertainty for our business and local people.
“The decision could now be made by an independent planning inspector. However, we would prefer the decision to be made locally by Cambridge councillors. By submitting new plans we keep this option open.
“All sensible perspective has been lost. I don’t believe that most of the objectors realise that Tesco already has permission to use the site on Mill Road. The planning applications submitted are not applying for use of the site by Tesco, merely for a new sign, cash machine, store room and plant.”
Sonia Cooter, from the campaign group No Mill Road Tesco, was surprised by the move but vowed the campaign would continue.
She said: “I am somewhat surprised because they could have filed an appeal weeks ago. It doesn’t show much respect for the planning committee. I am surprised by this as much as everyone else.”
When asked if she had anything to say to taxpayers who may have to pick up the bill for the costly delays, she said: “That’s a very unfair question.”
Council planner Peter Carter said: “Tesco could apply for costs from the council if it can prove that the council acted unreasonably and demonstrate what delays there were.
“The council could also be penalised because there are Government targets on how long an application should take.
“It could decide to withhold some of the council’s grant which pays for the running of the planning department – but it depends on various factors.”
