I am writing to you about a planning application that went to the Central Planning Board meeting on Monday September 29. It is an application from Tesco to open a Tesco Express store in the former Autoworld car showroom on Abbeydale Road, next to Abbeydale cinema (08/03245/CHU).

This application has solicited over 40 objections plus over 1,000 names on a petition, plus objections from the three local LibDem councillors, which gives an idea of the size of local opposition.

The objections relate to two main areas - the effect on current local businesses and the effect on a very busy junction by increased traffic movements. The Officer's Report to the board states that there are no planning reasons to reject the application because the site is within a Local Shopping Centre and they believe there is enough car parking being provided.

So, whilst we are supporting some residents to go to the planning board and make their points, this whole process raises some questions for me about how communities influence change. I note that your administration supports local shops, as does Sharrow Community Forum, and we are working to boost independent local traders, but it would seem that we can do nothing to stop a national retailer from moving into an area and threatening smaller retailers.

In addition, we have over 1,000 local people who thought they were being consulted meaningfully only to realise that their opinion may not count since there are no planning reasons for refusal.

Now I realise that all of this is just the way the planning system is currently set out, and not a fault of SCC or your administration, but it is counter to any attempts to support community influence or support for local retailers and so I thought you would like to be aware of it.



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