A controversial planning application for supermarket giant Tesco to continue selling more non-food items than was originally allowed has been recommended for approval.
The retrospective application for the Harlescott store to dedicate more than 2,000 sq. metres of its floor space to the sale of comparison goods will be discussed by Shropshire Council’s central planning committee next Thursday.
It has been recommended for approval by planning officers despite a high number of objections relating to the impact it would have on town centre trade.
Last month the Chronicle revealed that the Shop in the Loop business group had launched a scathing attack on Tesco for not playing fair by ‘cynically breaching planning conditions’.
The application was submitted retrospectively after two violations of Tesco’s original permission.
The store was built three years ago with a retail sales area of 4,789 sq. metres as opposed to the 4,520 sq. metres approved – an increase of six per cent.
An area devoted to ‘comparison goods’ – the like of which are sold in town centre shops – was also increased from the permitted 1,597 sq. metres to 2,071 sq. metres.
Objections were submitted by Shrewsbury Town Council, Shop in the Loop, Shropshire Enterprise Partnership, Friends of the Earth, Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association and the Council for the Protection of Rural England.
It was claimed the plans were contrary to the Local Plan and would impact on town centre trade and employment.
However the planning officers’ report states: “The store has been trading in breach of the condition with the additional floorspace since 2007 and, although this cannot be condoned, it is considered there is no evidence of significant adverse impact on the town centre or other centres as a result of this floorspace.
“The proposal would not adversely affect the vitality and viability of the town centre shopping area or otherwise prejudice the objectives of the Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Local Plan retail policies.
Councillor Dr Maxwell Winchester said the approval by officers is yet another example of bad planning in Shrewsbury.
“The council is here to represent constituents first of all and this just demonstrates they’re not looking after residents. It shows utter incompetence and this confirms all of the complaints raised against planning. The consequence of this is that Tesco now has the ability to price anyone they like out of business in the town. I don’t know what the future of Shrewsbury will be,” he added.
John Hall, chairman of Shop in the Loop, said: “We’re very disappointed the officers have made this recommendation and we still feel strongly there is no good reason for extending the space Tesco has available. We’re a little mystified as to why they were allowed to build the store in the first place.”
A spokesperson for Tesco said: “Since the store opened in 2007, our customers have welcomed the variety of products available and more people have decided to do their food shopping in Shrewsbury. The council’s officers and independent retail advisers have also concluded that our store has not had an adverse impact on the vitality of the high street. This will remain the same if our recent planning application is approved.”
- A special meeting will be held on Wednesday for the strategic planning committee to discuss the £60million incinerator proposed for Battlefield. It is being held at 2pm at Meole Brace Secondary School Science College, Longden Road.
By Anna Williams