Campaigners against the new Tesco store in Ashtead claim the supermarket sent out misleading information about the size of the store.
Representatives from Save – Save Ashtead’s Village Environment – said they may send copies of a Tesco leaflet to the Advertising Standards Authority, complaining that it is inaccurate.
Tesco admitted information in its leaflet was wrong but claimed it was a genuine error rather than a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
The new plans for the proposed store on the site of the former Esso petrol station are for a supermarket 24 per cent smaller than the original scheme that was rejected by Mole Valley planners.
Publicity material circulating in Ashtead claimed the new proposal was for a supermarket that has been reduced in size by 32 per cent.
Eoin Dardis, a spokesman for Tesco, said: “We have looked at our figures again. The reduction in the store’s size is 24 per cent rather than 32 per cent.
"This arose out of an error for which we take responsibility and apologise. This was a mistake and it was not our intention to mislead people.”
The mistake arose by confusing the net floor area with the net sales area, he claimed.
But Save spokesman Gillian Russell said: “What Save has discovered is extremely disturbing. We believe Tesco is using misleading tactics which we feel are totally unacceptable.
"It is very disappointing Tesco thinks it can win the support of the village while it appears to be flagrantly misleading us from the outset.
"I think everyone in Ashtead will be extremely angry. No one likes to feel they are being misled.
“We all want the Esso site to be redeveloped asap.
"A viable solution would be a much smaller store, with only a front entrance which draws shoppers onto The Street and into other shops, with on-site parking and no change to the current car park.”
She claimed the proposed scheme was in contravention of Mole Valley’s planning policies.
The deadline for commenting on the scheme has been extended until February 3 when it will go before the planning committee.
Tesco said it had designed a store specifically to fit in with Ashtead village which will stock products from the supermarket’s up-market Finest range.
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