Tesco to unveil new supermarket plans

A protest group against plans for a new Tesco are gearing up for the supermarket giant's latest move.

Community and residents support group TESNO, who go under the banner 'Every Little Hurts', are eagerly awaiting a two-day public exhibition by the store of their new plans for a site in Newport Pagnell.

MKNEWS reported how TESNO took their battle to the streets last year, staging a high profile protest through the streets claiming that the supermarket on the former Aston Martin Lagonda site in Tickford Street would herald the death of the town.

The 2009 plans were met with 2,429 letters of objection and just five in support.

Ultimately, Tesco voluntarily withdrew the original plans last July before a decision on the outline planning application was made, in order to make amendments before resubmission.

Their altered plans will now be available for the public to view in an exhibition at the Swan Revived Hotel on Monday from 12-7pm, and Tuesday from 11am-6pm, with information covering the design, location and operation of the store.

There will also be details about traffic arrangements and, importantly, proposed uses for the three remaining buildings on the site, with Tesco project representatives there to answer questions.

The new application will then be submitted to the council in the Autumn.

Tesco’s corporate affairs manager Tony Fletcher said: “We have done a great deal of work over the past 12 months to develop a new set of proposals for a foodstore on the Tickford Street site.

“We have taken note of many of the comments expressed at our previous consultation in July last year and believe we now have a scheme that is respectful and complementary to the motoring heritage of the site.

"The proposals envisage a specially designed store that would allow local people to stay in the town to do their main weekly food shopping.”

Tom Lonergan, chair of TESNO, who dressed as the Grim Reaper to lead last year's parade, says they have been expecting this new exhibition, and are awaiting the new plans.

He said: "This will be very interesting to see how Tesco repackage their scheme, if at all, in the light of its overwhelming rejection twelve months ago.

"TESNO has grown from strength to strength in 12 months, with standing room only at their first AGM held at The Swan Revived Hotel last Tuesday.

"We are not anti anybody, just in favour of supporting the community, retailers and residents, in a market town which is rare in Milton Keynes.

"A cuckoo in the nest is a cuckoo in the nest, regardless of how it repackages itself. We look forward to the challenges ahead."

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