Delight for Chorlton Shops as Tesco Superstore Stopped (Manchester Liberal Democrats Online)

Manchester Liberal Democrats Online <info@manchester-libdems.org.uk>

Delight for Chorlton Shops as Tesco Superstore Stopped

November 6, 2006 6:48 PM

John Leech MP Successfully Opposed Tesco Plans for New Superstore

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, is delighted by the decision of the Planning Inspectorate to dismiss Tesco's appeal to build a large new superstore in Stretford.

This application had been refused by Trafford Council but Tesco had appealed this decision, leading to a public enquiry in September. John Leech MP made written representations to the enquiry opposing Tesco's appeal and also sent a Liberal Democrat representative to the enquiry to make verbal representations opposing the new store.

Speaking after the decision to dismiss Tesco's appeal was made public, John Leech MP said:

"I am delighted that the Planning Inspectorate have decided to dismiss Tesco's appeal against the refusal."

"This is very important news for Chorlton shopping centre and the many small shops and businesses that make Chorlton such a thriving shopping centre and an invaluable asset for local people."

"The small shops and other businesses in Chorlton make a great contribution to the local economy and employ many local people. They also allow thousands of local residents to do their shopping at a great variety of shops near to their homes. These shops would, in my view, have been put under threat by a very large superstore in nearby Stretford. This, together with the impact on traffic in Chorlton, formed the basis of my representations to the Public Enquiry."

"I also brought to the Planning Inspectorates attention the great many residents of South Manchester who had contacted me by letter, phone, e-mail and postcard, voicing concerns over the proposed new Tesco store. I would also like to thank the members of the public, some of them from local shops in Chorlton, who made the time to attend the enquiry and speak out against Tesco's plans."

The Planning Inspector listed the impact on the existing shops in Chorlton as one of his reasons for dismissing Tesco's appeal.

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