Tesco submit plan to DOUBLE size of Orpington store

10.26.09pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 14th Apr 2006

Tesco have this week submitted a new planning application to virtually DOUBLE the amount of sales floor in their new store at Orpington, while decreasing the amount of parking for local offices and the public.

The plan would see them putting in a second "mezzanine" floor, to increase the shop floor space by 3516 Square metres to 7423 square metres.

Two years ago this week, at the packed public meeting in the Methodist Chuch Hall organised by your Liberal Democrat councillors, Tesco said they did not plan a mezzanine floor - they have now gone back on their word. It is clear Tesco cannot be trusted.

Liberal Democrat team member Gerda Loosemore-Reppen says: "This revised plan can only add to the parking and traffic chaos that will come with the new store. It is nothing but greed on the part of Tesco. Meanwhile Bromley Conservatives just want to pocket the money from the sale of the multi storey car park site to spend on projects in Bromley and Beckenham - as always it is Orpington that gets the raw end of the deal."

Remember, Orpington Conservative councillors voted for the original Tesco plan, while your local Liberal Democrats opposed it. Lib Dem Councillor Jenny Powell, who is a member of the Council's Planning Committee, spoke out in support of local residents against the Tesco plans.