Expert will hear appeal on Tesco store

3:00pm Friday 8th February 2013 in Basingstoke By Adam Richards

Artist's impression on the Tesco Extra proposed for Winchester Road Artist's impression on the Tesco Extra proposed for Winchester Road

A CONTROVERSIAL bid by supermarket giant Tesco to build a new Basingstoke store is set to go before a Government planning inspector this month.

A public inquiry will be held at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Civic Offices from February 19 as the supermarket chain seeks to overturn a decision by the council’s development control committee to refuse a planning application for a new 63,000 sq ft store on the old Smiths Industries site, in The Harrow Way.

Members of the 15-strong development control committee turned down the application last July amid fears that it would harm the business of existing shops.

There were also concerns about £4.2million-worth of highway improvements to the Brighton Hill Roundabout that Tesco said it would fund.

Tesco had planned to fill in the underpasses, and replace them with six, overground pedestrian crossings and sets of traffic lights.

Under the road proposals, the A30 was also to be extended across the middle of the roundabout, while access to the proposed store would have been from The Harrow Way.

Since the application was lodged in January 2012, it has received a mixed reaction from residents.

A petition with up to 1,500 signatures objecting to the proposal was submitted. But Tesco say the plans, which would create 200 jobs, received “huge support from local residents and businesses” following a public consultation.

The public inquiry will start on February 19, and is scheduled to finish by February 28.

Comments(9)

theKman says...
4:15pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Do we really need another supermarket?

Who exactly in local business gave “huge support"? They are dreaming if they hope to benefit from it (once built).

The 200 jobs claimed are not necessarily "new". They are often former small business owners and some will be from Asda and Sainsburys reducing staffing as a result. Probably 80% of the jobs will be 8-12 hours a week so Tesco pays no tax.

Sadly it depends on what incentives they offer the council, not how many people sign a petition.

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AndrewRH says...
4:39pm Fri 8 Feb 13

If the government accept it then the roundabout in front becomes even more car-centric. Pedestrian underpass blocked off, and road dangerous for people walking and cycling.

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chell2@live.co.uk says...
4:43pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Can we not have a waitrose..I hate tescos......

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Beggarwood Resident says...
5:48pm Fri 8 Feb 13

A lady came to my door the other day to ask what I thought about the planned Tesco, I said "we already have a Tescos in Basingstoke, I would rather have a Waitrose" She then told me she was employed by Tesco and was trying to build a case against BDBC to show there was support for the proposals. She said "so you are opposed to it then?" I said I was and she just walked off and funnily enough did not record my comments on her sheet......!!

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BugBear says...
2:30pm Sat 9 Feb 13

200 jobs gained by Tesco, 500 lost in the town centre. What I can never understand is, what is the point of a monopolies commission? Tesco's in their greed have virtually wiped out the corner shop and continue to decimate any other business they can destroy i.e. where is the independent pharmacy now Tesco opened their own in house version at Chineham. Many people think it's great, out of town shopping, no parking fee's cheaper goods, more choice but wait, careful what you wish for. The day is coming where only two or three large multinational companies will own everything and you will have no choice, will pay through the nose and might as well live in Communist China for all the freedom you will have.

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telly lady says...
8:37am Sun 10 Feb 13

It's WAITROSE we need in Basingstoke not another boring Tescos! Tescos want to control the country keep them out!

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Best_Name_Ever says...
1:48pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Whilst I would also appreciate a Waitrose in Basingstoke, if people have issues with this particular site, I am assuming it is the overall development and its subsequent impacts, rather than the company occupying the development that is the major issue. If no one would object to a Waitrose occupying the site, then surely there should also be no objection to a Tescos?

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jonone says...
7:33pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Tesco do not destroy town centres, people choosing to shop in Tesco do. Can't understand why this Tesco would mean less people in town - I'm not going to stop visiting town because of a Tesco!

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thesquiff says...
11:10am Thu 14 Feb 13

All in favour of the new Tesco, especially if they sort out the Brighton Hill roundabout, which let's face it, the council aren't prepared to do.

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