4:23pm Tuesday 3rd March 2009
By Neil Phillips
TESCO has renewed its bid to build an Express store in Bourne End after its last application for a new shop in the village was rejected.
The supermarket giant wanted to build a store and four flats on land in The Parade, but was turned down by Wycombe District Council in August.
The plans were refused after council officers warned a new store could lead to the closure of other shops. It also said there was no need for an another convenience store in Bourne End.
Now Tesco has appealed to The Planning Inspectorate to overturn the decision.
Jim Penfold, chairman of Bourne End Residents Association said the village did not want the supermarket to move in. He said: “We do not need a Tesco Express in Bourne End. We have a diverse range of independent shops. The last thing we need is another supermarket”
The council's refusal of the plans followed two previous rejections of similar proposals to build a Tesco Express store and eight flats in Bourne End.
There are also unconfirmed plans for a Sainsburys store to move into a unit on the corner of Oakfield Road and The Parade at some point in the future, as part of the Comland development.
Mr Penfold said the views of the Residents' Association would reflect the mood of the village, but so far the feedback it had was overwhelmingly opposed to a Tesco Express store opening.
He said: “We will listen to what the majority of people think and we will talk about it amongst ourselves and the community.
“It isn't that we're anti-Tesco.”
He added some residents had voiced support for the supermarket to move in, but these were the minority.
Mr Penfold also worried the move would see retail units encroaching on other parts of the village.
He said: “The site they have bought is not within the designated commercial end of Bourne End.
“You don't extend the retail commercial area of the community for something we have already got more than enough of.
“The general consensus is 'enough is enough, thank you.”
No date for any planning enquiry or decision has so far been announced.
Statements and representations in favour of or opposing the appeal can be emailed to teamp6@pins.gsi.gov.uk or sent to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/14 Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN, quoting reference APP/K0425/A/09/2097674. They must be submitted by March 31.
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