 Anti-Tesco campaigners have been successful
A controversial proposal for a new Tesco store at High Street, Sunninghill,
has been turned down unanimously by the Borough Council after hearing
“compelling evidence” that it could result in danger to road users and
pedestrians in the area.
More than 600 objections had been received by the council’s planning
department, along with a detailed objection from Sunninghill and Ascot Parish
Council. There were two submissions in support for the application.
The meeting at Windsor’s Guildhall was packed to overflowing by local
residents, concerned about traffic and parking issues, the detrimental effect
the proposed new store would have on existing shops and the additional noise,
pollution and litter which they said it would cause.
After detailed consideration, panel members turned down the application.
They said the proposed new access off School Road, to be used by delivery
vehicles, would be detrimental to vehicular and pedestrian safety and to the
free flow of traffic
insufficient on-site parking would result in increased demand for parking
spaces in surrounding streets, where spaces are already limited.
They also said that proposals for a new delivery and service yard would be
“un-neighbourly” and the plan would result in loss of amenities to local
residents.
Councillor Alison Knight, panel chairman, extended speaking times to allow
panel members to hear submissions from both the applicant and objectors before
taking their decision.
She said: “There has been overwhelming public interest in this
application and we were very conscious of our responsibility to ensure that it
met the necessary planning requirements.
“We went to great lengths to consider every aspect of the proposal and we
heard compelling evidence that if the store went ahead there would be serious
and highly dangerous implications for road users and pedestrians. The panel’s
unequivocal view was that the application failed in a number of critical areas
and that refusal was the only option.”
Refusal of the application, as recommended by council planning officers, was
proposed by Councillor Lynda Yong, Sunninghill and South Ascot ward councillor,
and seconded by Councillor Knight.<BACK
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