Protesters fearful over future of A303 (From Andover Advertiser)

Protesters fearful over future of A303

4:41pm Wednesday 29th August 2007

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THE A303 will become the world's biggest car park' if the Tesco warehouse development goes ahead Andover residents were told at a public meeting.

Mike Cleugh, vice-chairman of Monxton Parish Council and member of the Stop.Mega.Sheds committee, spoke at the meeting held at John Hanson Community School in a bid to persuade more people to sign a petition against the development.

It was the final protest meeting before the deadline for objections on 27 August.

If planning permission is granted the 1,900ft long building, the height of three double-decker buses would be built on the site of the former Andover Airfield.

"If this development goes ahead it will become one of the biggest buildings in Europe at 860,000 square metres - that's the equivalent of 17 football pitches," he said.

"The fact that they want to build it next to an A road is silly, the A303 will become the world's biggest car park."

Mr Cleugh also criticised the type of jobs the Tesco warehouse and distribution centre would create.

"The sort of jobs in that warehouse may be very low paid and very low skilled.

"We want that site to be what it was originally designed to be - a business park bringing good quality jobs," he said.

He was trying to convince residents to join the campaign to stop the development by signing the petition before the deadline.

"Every little helps as Tesco say," he added.

Over 400 people had packed into the school hall to support Mr Cleugh and others objecting to the plan.

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