Ashtead Tesco appeal to be decided at public inquiry (From Your Local Guardian)

Ashtead Tesco appeal to be decided at public inquiry

11:27am Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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A planning public inquiry is due to be held to decide on a supermarket’s appeal after two applications were turned down.

The inquiry, which has no date yet, will decide on both appeals put forward by Tesco to build a controversial store in Ashtead, after Mole Valley councillors twice refused the retail giant’s applications.

Campaigning group Save Ashtead’s Village Environment (Save) and the Ashtead Residents’ Association will fight the appeal together. Both are urging residents who oppose the planning applications to help them raise money for a fund which will pay for legal costs.

Gillian Russell, Save’s spokeswoman said: “The fact that Tesco is trying to get the first bigger proposal through shows Ashtead that they have no intention of listening to us at all. They are clearly trying to get the larger one to pass.”

Tesco's original plan to build a 1,115 sq m store provoked fury among residents and shopkeepers and was rejected by council planners.

Tesco then put forward a smaller scheme for the village, and temporarily suspended its appeal against Mole Valley’s decision to throw out its first plans.

The plans received over 1,000 letters of objection and were the target of an organised campaign by Save, which collected about 6,300 signatures on a petition against them.

Now the store is appealing both decisions.

Eoin Dardis, a spokesman for Tesco, said: "Tesco is appealing the decision under terms of the contract - there is a contractual obligation we have to appeal.

"Tesco has tried to work with the local community throughout the whole process. Obviously we want to continue to work with the local authority and the local community."

Letters of objection or support can be sent to Mole Valley Council until April 6.