Tesco makes FOURTH bid to open a new store on Holyhead Road

Supermarket giant Tesco is making a fourth attempt to open a new store on a site in Coventry.


The derelict site in Holyhead Road which locals apparently prefer!

Plans for a Tesco Express on the corner of Holyhead Road and Grayswood Avenue, Coundon, have been refused permission on three previous occasions but Tesco bosses are resilient in their bid to open a new shop.

Tesco submitted its first proposal for the former petrol station site in July 2010. Its last attempt in September last year was refused because the design was too “garish” and did not fit with the appearance of the area.

The most recent application, which will be voted on by the council’s planning committee tomorrow, differs from previous plans in response to concerns, with a new brick-built design and the store entrance in Grayswood Avenue, to avoid traffic problems along Holyhead Road. But the application has still sparked outrage from residents and representatives of the Brooklands Residents’ Association.

In letters to Coventry City Council, they have raised concerns about the store affecting nearby traders, leading to a loss of livelihood, and also about increased traffic congestion along an already busy road.

They have also argued that previous reasons for refusal have not been overcome with the new design.

Supporting the residents, councillors Gary Ridley and Kevin Foster have submitted two petitions with more than 1,800 signatures.

Coun Ridley (Con, Sherbourne) said: “The applications from Tesco have been recommended for approval on every occasion and we have come to them with good arguments and persuaded the committee members to refuse it.

“It is no surprise to us they have come back with another application. They are a big organisation who won’t stop just because there’s a bit of opposition from residents.

“What has always concerned me is that they are trying to come into an environment where there is already a balanced and stable shopping area to try to take trade away. Unfortunately that is not a planning issue but I do still think this store is too large for the site and will have a detrimental impact on the whole area.

“There has been tremendous depth of public opinion on these applications from the start so hopefully we can get this deferred again.”

Senior planning officer Nigel Smith has recommended the plan for approval as the design is now considered acceptable. He said: “While there is significant concern from residents regarding the impact of the proposal upon existing shops, it is considered the proposal complies with retail policy and, therefore, the principle of development is acceptable.”

See also: Tesco plan for Holyhead Road rejected for third time

Tesco wins fight to build new store on former petrol station site at Coundon

TESCO bosses have finally won their fight to turn a former petrol station into a new store.

Despite local outrage and hundreds of signatures on petitions against the plan to build a Tesco Express on the corner of Holyhead Road and Grayswood Avenue, Coundon, city councillors granted the application at a planning meeting yesterday.

It was the supermarket giant’s fourth application for the site after its previous three plans had been rejected. Tesco submitted its first proposal for the site in July 2010.

Its third attempt in September last year was refused because the design was too “garish” and did not fit with the appearance of the area.

Residents had hoped the most recent proposal – which differed from previous plans in response to concerns with a new brick-built design and an entrance off Grayswood Avenue – would also be turned down.

Two petitions were submitted against it – one bearing 543 names in opposition to it on ecology and biodiversity grounds and the other with 2,153 signatures against it over general disruption to the area.

Joan Spencer, who organised the petition against it on environmental grounds, raised fears about the impact on the River Sherbourne corridor and water vole population.

I'm no great fan of Tesco but in this case I think it's a good thing.

1) They are bringing back into use a plot of commercial land which has lay derelict for years.

2) They are providing a much needed service for those living nearby with limited mobility due to age or infirmity.

3) They are providing much needed competition for the nearby Fine Fare store which has become complacent ever since being taken over by Morrison's.