TESCO PLAN DEFEATED!

6.16.48pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Apr 2004

Plans for a huge Tesco supermarket have been defeated - for now.

Plans for a Tesco superstore on the site of the Station Road car park in Orpington have been rejected by Bromley Council's Development Control Committee. Orpington Councillor Jenny Powell proposed the plans be rejected. She won the vote 12 to 4 at Bromley Council's Development Control committee.

"The design is out of character with the surrounding area, it is too bulky and over dominant," Cllr Powell told the committee "We asked Tesco to reduce the plan and they only tinkered with the design."

The Council meeting followed a packed public meeting last Thursday. The public heard that Tesco had reduced 1.4 metres from the front of the building. Brought the front of the proposed superstore back from Station Road to keep four trees and reduced the height along Orchard Grove by 4.4 metres. There would have been 917 car parking spaces in the development together with a medical centre and 64 flats.

Cllr Grace Goodlad also opposed the development saying " Tescos wanted 60% food and 40% general goods such as those already being sold on the High Street. I do not believe local shops would survive competing against a superstore."

"We have only won round one," explained Orpington Councillor Chris Maines.

It is expected that Tesco will appeal the decision taken by Bromley Council.

"The residents have scored a victory against big business," claimed Cllr Maines, "now there may well be a Public Enquiry and the residents will have to repeat their concerns to ensure the inspector understands the objections."