BY LAURA HANNAM
laura.hannam@mk-news.co.uk
In a surprise decision, Milton Keynes Council has refused Tesco’s plans to double the size of its store in Wolverton.
Around 30 people in the public gallery cheered as councillors decided the proposals would have a detrimental impact on the viability and vitality of the town centre and be out of keeping with the conservation area.
After a special three-hour meeting on Thursday night (7/5) councillors turned down the application despite a recommendation to give permission by council officers.
Members of local town councils, business associations and residents pleaded for the council to protect local shops while The Living Archive and community centre praised the new facilities that Tesco would provide.
After a motion to approve the application – with a long list of conditions – failed, the decision to refuse was passed with three councillors in support, one against and four abstaining.
Tesco hopes to replace the existing store with a new shop built on stilts bringing it up to the same level as the shops on Stratford Road. The retail giant now has the chance to appeal to the Government’s planning inspectorate.
Jamie Chalmers, founder of a residents’ group against the plans said: “The councillors made the right decision based on planning reasons. It is clear it would have a negative impact not only on Wolverton but on towns in the surrounding area.
“If one shop could represent more than 50 per cent of the retail floor space in Wolverton as this would it can’t be a good thing for the town. The council has stood up against Tesco and this is a good sign for those campaigning against the store planned in Newport Pagnell.” Tesco claims the proposals would provide a large investment in Wolverton including a new community centre, four new retail units and 250 new jobs.
Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco said: “We are surprised and disappointed that the development control committee did not approve our application for Wolverton.
“We believe that we had submitted an application in line with the local development plan and Government policy, which would have provided local jobs which we are well aware are much needed.
“We have worked in great detail over the past four years with the local community on our proposals to get them right.
“Tesco will nowbe examining all the options open to us before we make a decision on the next steps.”