Tesco has bought two sites in the small market town of Halesworth in North Suffolk which, at the moment, has a high street of wonderful independent shops and a weekly market. Halesworth already has a sizeable Co-op and Tesco are proposing building a supermarket twice its size on a site right next to it on the edge of town. 

Tesco submitted an application for a 20,000 sq ft store on the 18th May 2009 - please see an article in the East Anglia Daily Times, 19th May 2009 and an article in the Eastern Daily Press, 11th June 2009.  For information on opposition to the plans please see an article in the Evening Star 24, 18th June 2009 and an article in the East Anglia Daily Times, 20th August "Campaigners question supermarket's survey". In December 2009 the Co-op re-submitted plans to increase the size of its store by a third (718sqm).

In January 2010 it was revealed that Tesco and the Co-op have both lodged appeals against Waveney District Council because it has failed to make a decision on their applications months after both applications were submitted. However, the Co-op subsequently withdrew its appeal and submitted new plans to Waveney District Council.

In March 2010 the Lowestoft Journal revealed that the Tesco and Co-op applications for Halesworth would both have been refused by councillors. The two applications were discussed at the district council's development control committee meeting on March 17 and Councillors refused both applications. The final decision will be made by the Planning Inspectorate.

The appeal hearing was held in May 2010. On 22nd July the Inspector issued his decision to dismiss the appeal and refuse permission for the store. Read the Appeal Decision here.

The Hands off Hadleigh (formerly CAASH) campaign in Hadleigh, Suffolk, has been a long running one. After initial successes in stopping a Tesco superstore on the edge of the town centre, Tesco returned with a second application in 2004, which was also rejected.

In February 2008 Tesco submitted plans to Babergh District Council for a 3,055 square metre store and parking for 207 cars. In March 2008 Tesco exhibited the plans and undertook a public consultation. In April, Hadleigh Town Councillors voted 12-1 against Tesco being able to build a superstore.  Please see the Suffolk Free Press, 11th July 2008.

Campaigners staged a picnic to protest against the supermarket on 2nd August 2008 - see an article in the Evening Star and over 300 people attended a march in September - see Suffolk Free Press, 10th September 2008.

In January 2010 Tesco submitted revised plans for a store at the Brett Works site which it claims will "further compliment the surrounding area and reduce the building's size by one sixth". Read the application here and for further information please see the Evening Star24, 19th January 2010.

Councillors were due to consider the application on the 14th July 2010 but the meeting was deferred due to the need to consider legal advice regarding the assessment of environmental issues before an application can be considered by councillors. The Hands of Hadleigh group staged an open air day on the 15th July attended by around 400 people. Please see Suffolk Free Press, 15th July 2010.

For more information, visit the Hands off Hadleigh website.

In 2007 residents in Manningtree launched a campaign, Stour Community First, to oppose plans for a new 30,000 sq ft Tesco store in the town. The campaign group  promote a positive agenda for the Stour estuary communities of Mistley, Manningtree, Lawford and Brantham – of which the campaign to stop the inexorable rise of Tesco here in Manningtree is a key focus.

In March 2010 Tesco unveiled new plans for a supermarket in Manningtree. The planning officer has recommended the plans be approved but acknowledges that there are many reasons why it could be rejected. For more information read an article in Harwich and Manningtree Standard, 6th May 2010.

On the 11th May councillors on Tendring Council planning committee decided to refuse the application as they said the design was not good enough for the area, the store would have a negative impact on the nearby high street, and the traffic it would bring to the area would cause congestion. Please see an article in the Harwich and Manningtree Standard, 12th May 2010.

Read the campaign group's Top tips May 2010.doc.

In 2010 Saxmundham faced another planning application for a Tesco store on a site immediately opposite the existing Waitrose and across a narrow road, 100 yds from a tricky crossroads with traffic lights and in the opposite direction, a few hundred yards away, planning permission for 150 plus houses.

Residents believe the application is for a store about the same size as Waitrose (which took over the Somerfield store from the Co-op) and 146 car parking spaces. The site is a series of derelict buildings owned by a developer. He applied for an 8,000 sq ft store 2 years ago and permission was given. A few months ago he applied to Suffolk Coastal District Council's Development Control Committee for a much larger store (18,000 sq ft), which the Councillors passed unanimously. For more information please see an article in the East Anglian Daily Times, 2nd April 2010.

Back in 1997 residents successfully fought off plans for a Tesco store on the outskirts of the town, on land close to the A12.

In November 2009, Sainsbury's submitted a planning application for a new store in Uttlesford to the District Council. Please see the Saffron Walden Reporter 24, 19th November 2009.  Tesco has submitted plans to expand its existing store on Radwinter Road. Tesco's previous application to expand its store was refused at a public inquiry in 2000.

Liberal Democrat members have spoken out against the applications saying a new supermarket could spell the "death knell" for town-centre shopping in Saffron Walden. Please see the Saffron Walden Reporter, 25th December 2009.

The deadline for objections for both the Sainsbury's and Tesco applications was extended until  23rd December. The two applications will now be considered at the same planning committee in September 2010.

A new umbrella group Save Walden Town Centre has been set up and includes Friends of the Earth, CPRE, local businesses etc. For further information please visit www.savewaldentowncentre.org, or email info@savewaldentowncentre.org. 

Tesco is planning a 60,000 sq ft superstore, 250 houses, hotel, private medical centre, three small shops on a 30 acre field in Walton High Street. Consultants are drawing up reports for a planning application.

European MP Richard Howitt has voiced concerns about the environmental impacts of such a large building project and the impact the scheme would have on the existing town centre and small local shops. For further information please see an article in the Evening Star, 8th March 2010.

In February 2010 Asda revived plans to build a new £20m store on the former Cintel site in Ware.  Asda’s original plan for the Watton Road site, announced in August 2008, was withdrawn after a damming report by East Herts Council officers citing eight reasons for recommending refusal of planning permission.

In the new plans, the size of the store is significantly reduced, from 36,230sq ft (3,366sq m) in the original plans to 28,000sq ft (2,601sq m). It also includes 280 car parking spaces and 13 homes. Please see an article in Property Week, 17th March 2010.

A new campaign group No Asda in Ware has been set up to oppose the plans.

Tesco is planning to expand its store in Hemel Hempstead by 1,600 sqm.  However, Dacorum Borough Council's spatial planning team is concerned the expansion could threaten town centre shops. In their report they state - "Our concern is that if Tesco strengthen their range of comparison goods to the extent proposed by this application, then the number of people making linked trips to the town centre may fall dramatically."

Tesco plans to extend the front, side and rear of the store, creating extra sales floor and storage space, plus a new mezzanine level for a customer cafe and toilets. For further information please see an article in Hemel Today, 13th January 2010.

The dispute in Sheringham is a well-known and long-running one. Residents and planners agree that Sheringham has a vibrant and healthy High Street, which is crucial to its special character and tourist economy, and that a new supermarket could have a negative impact on all of these. 

In November 2007 North Norfolk District Council rejected Tesco's application for a 1,500 sq m store. However, Tesco appealed against the failure of the district council to make a decision on its 2003 plans, and refusal of amended 2007 plans. A public inquiry was held in July 2008 and on the 8th September 2008, the planning inspector announced that she had upheld an earlier decision to turn down plans for a new store in Sheringham. In her ruling, the inspector said the "vitality, viability and retail function" of the town would be harmed if the development went ahead. For further information please see an article in North Norfolk News, 8th September 2008 and to see the decision in full go to the planning inspectorate website.

In April 2009 Tesco held a public consultation over new plans for a store in Sheringham.  A local land-owner also put forward plans for pioneering green grocery store. Please see an article in North Norfolk News, 2nd April 2009.

In August 2009 Tesco submitted new plans for a new smaller store of 1,200 sq m. In September 2009 Sheringham Town Council voted 10-3 to oppose the Tesco plans. The Town Council opposed the scheme on the basis of inappropriate design, unacceptable traffic impact, loss of housing, detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the town and the impact on the viability and vitality of the town's retail core. Please see an article in North Norfolk News, 25th September 2009.

The Tesco application and  Greenhouse Community Project application were due to be heard on the 17th December but North Norfolk District Council announced that because of the sheer number of submissions, the applications would be deferred. They were then due to be considered  in January 2010 but new planning policy (PPS4) meant the applications were considered on 4th March 2010.  Councillors approved plans for the eco-friendly Greenhouse Community Project and once again refused proposals for a Tesco in Sheringham. The decision, voted in by a majority of 10 to six, could need to be reconsidered if North Norfolk District Council officers decide it could not be defended in a legal challenge. For more information please see an article in the Eastern Daily Press, 4th March 2010 and The Independent, 4th March 2010.

In July 2010 Tesco submitted revised plans for its proposed store. Tesco hopes the amendments will address issues raised by councillors as reasons for turning them down at a planning meeting in March. According to Tesco a new application is not necessary and the alterations can be considered by the committee when it sits again.

For recent media coverage please see an article in the Financial Times, 20th November 2009 "Dispatch from Sheringham" and in The Times, 30th December 2009 "Sheringham stands indomitable against Tesco empire" and The Guardian, 2nd March 2010 "The Tesco chumps of Norfolk".

In 2008 traders in Mill End opposed Tesco plans for an Express store and eight flats on the site of the derelict Happy Man pub. In June Tesco sent out consultation leaflets to residents - more than 2,000 of whom then signed a petition calling for the plans to be abandoned, citing business and traffic concerns. Tesco submitted finalised plans to Three Rivers District Council in September 2008 but the plans were rejected by the council's development control committee.

In early May 2009 Tesco submitted revised plans to build an Express store and 7 apartments.  For further information please see an article in the Watford Observer, 11th May 2009. At a meeting on the 18th June the Three Rivers development control committee again rejected the application on the grounds that it would "simply be too big for the site". Please see an article in the Watford Observer, 19th June 2009.

Tesco lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate in July 2009 but withdrew before a decision could be made.

In March 2010, the Watford Observer reported that Tesco has resubmitted revised plans, which suggest a scaled down development, comprising four flats instead of eight. Residents had until 2nd April to submit any comments regarding the application.  449 objection letters were received but on 27th May, Three Rivers District Council approved the application. Please see an article in the Watford Observer, 27th May 2010.

Tesco is planning a new 86,000 sq ft store on the former B&Q site in Grafton Way. The development will also include hotels and residential properties.

Ipswich Central is co-ordinating a campaign against the application. A number of meetings have been held among the sub groups of Ipswich Central, which has 700 stakeholders, including independent traders and large stores. There have also been talks with developers Spenhill Regeneration, a subsidiary of Tesco. Ipswich Central has sent a letter to Ipswich Borough Council planners, which states: “Most businesses felt it would lead to further business closure over time, job losses and hinder other potential developments to the long term detriment of the town centre overall.”

One of Ipswich Central's key objections to the application is that the store would be trading at the lower end of the price structure, a market which they believe is already over-represented in the town centre. The link to the town centre is also seen as a problem as busy roads nearby effectively create a barrier. For further information please see an article in the Evening Star24, 28th May 2009. Market traders are also opposing the new store - please see an article in the Evening Star 24, 10th June 2009.

In March 2010 Ipswich Borough Council's development and planning committee voted 6-7 to approve proposals for a £70 million regeneration project on Grafton Way. However, the decision will now have to be sent to the Government Office of the East of England (Go-East) for final approval. Please see an article in the East Anglia Daily Press, 5th March 2010 and the Evening Star, 8th April 2010.

In September 2008, Tesco announced plans at a two-day exhibition to double the size of its Stalham store and open a new-look store by the end of 2009. However, local residents and shopkeepers are concerned with the plans and a petition with 1,500 signatures was collected in just two weeks. In February 2009, Tesco withdrew its application shortly before a North Norfolk District Council planning meeting.  Please see an article in the Eastern Daily Press, 16th February 2009.

However, on 18th February 2010 the North Norfolk News reported that Tesco has announced new plans to extend the store, one year after it withdrew earlier plans. It intends to submit new plans within the "next few months".

The commerical arm of Tesco, Spen Hill Developments, owns a redundant industrial estate in Diss and has submitted proposals for a retail development. The plans also include land to the east, which includes a furniture shop and the town's current bus station.

Councillors are concerned about the proposals because South Norfolk Council unveiled a “masterplan” in 2008 for a multi-million pound redevelopment of 28 acres of land south of Park Road to include new homes, shops, businesses and leisure use and see the proposals from Spen Hill as "throwing a spanner in the works". For further information please see an article in the Eastern Daily Press, 22nd May 2009 and the Diss Express, 22nd May 2009.

Proposals for a multi-million pound development on the Broadwater Road site in Welwyn Garden City include plans for a "medium sized" Tesco store. No planning application has yet been submitted. The site is included in the Supplementary Planning Guidance due to be considered by the Council in November, however the current planning policy does not allow for any primary retail on the site please see http://www.welhat.gov.uk/planning/dnld_200074/BWRW_Draft_SPD.pdf

Hatfield Council's Cabinet Planning and Transportation Panel met in November but according to an article in the Welwyn and Hatfield Times, 18th November 2008 no mention of changing the planning rules to incorporate retail use was made.

Residents object to plans to build a Tesco Express and seven flats on an old car show room site in Croxley Green claim another supermarket is neither desired nor needed in the village, adding that it would cause traffic chaos and would force small shopkeepers out of business. The Croxley Green Residents Association (CGRA) compiled a 1,477 signature petition and produced an independent traffic survey.

Tesco has made three previous applications to Three Rivers District Council, two of which were withdrawn on the day they were due to be heard and the other rejected in March 2008.

In 2009 planning officers recommended the Committee approve the scaled down store and seven flats.  Please see an article in the Watford Observer, 14th February 2009. On the 19th February, the Development Control Committee of Three Rivers District Council met and unanimously rejected the scheme, ruling the development would damage the appearance of the street scene, cause traffic congestion, and prove too cramped for residents' peace and comfort. For further information please see an article in thisislocallondon.co.uk, 20th February 2009.

Tesco appealed the decision and the appeal was heard at Three Rivers in September 2009. Please see an article in the Watford Observer, 16th September 2009. In October the Planning Inspector, Mrs Gregory, overturned the previous ruling and gave Tesco permission to build the store. She rejected the idea that traffic, already interrupted by the petrol station, would back up further along Watford Road. For more information please see an article in the Watford Observer 14th October 2009 and an article in the Uxbridge Gazette, 22nd October 2009.

Tesco has submitted a planning application for a Tesco Express on site of Bovingdon Service Station. Ref: 4/00595/09.  Over 150 people attended a meeting in the Village Hall on Tuesday 12th May, and only one spoke in favour of Tesco. Residents are mounting a campaign and sending objection letters to Dacorum Borough Council. For further information please see an article in Hemel Today, 13th May 2009 and the Watford Observer 13th May 2009.

Meeting of Dacorum Development Control Committe on 12th June 2009 unanimously rejected Tesco's planning application. The application was rejected on reasons of scale, mass, design, and size.  Please see an article in the Watford Observer 13th June 2009.

Tesco appealed the decision and a 3-day public inquiry started on the 25th November 2009. Please see an article in the Hemel Hempstead Gazette, 11th September 2009 and an article in the Watford Observer, 27th November 2009.

In January 2010, Tesco was given the green light by the Planning Inspector to go ahead and build. Please see an article in  the Watford Observer, 21st January 2010.

In March 2008 local residents celebrated as councillors rejected Tesco proposals for Mill Road. Over 250 people attended the meeting of the East Area planning committee, and councillors voted unanimously to reject Tesco's proposals to build an extension to the rear of the proposed site, and to install refrigeration and air conditioning. Tesco had previously confirmed in writing to the council planning department that they would not be able to open a store on this site without such an extension.  Despite this decision also being upheld at appeal Tesco decided to open the store, albeit a third smaller than originally intended, in August 2009. In February 2010 Tesco lost its appeal to sell alcohol in the store.

Tesco's proposals for a convenience store on the site of the former Cherry Tree Garage, in Blackheath, Colchester, has provoked local opposition. Residents feel that the store will overwhelm local roads. A petition gathered 700 signatures. For further information see an article in The Gazette from 5th August 2008.

At the end of October Colchester Council rejected Tesco's proposals as they "went against policy".  The decision notice said the site was outside a designated retail centre in an unsustainable out-of-centre location and that a Tesco Express would have “a negative effect on the viability and vitality” of nearby shops. For further information please see The Gazette, 27th October 2008.

However, on the 20th December 2008 the Braintree and Witham Times reported that Tesco has appealed against the decision, which meant the application was considered by a Government inspector at a public inquiry in June 2009. Please see an article in the Daily Gazette, 18th June 2009.

In 2008 Tesco submitted proposals to enlarge the stores at Great Notley and Marks Farm in Braintree. Braintree Council planning officers had recommended that the authority’s planning committee approve Tesco's proposals but Councillors are seeking more expert advice before making a decision on the two controversial Tesco expansion plans.

Councillors have asked for an independent retail consultant to report back specifically on the scale of the bigger stores and their potential impact on Braintree town centre. Numerous residents, along with the Braintree Town Centre Strategy Group and Braintree Chamber of Trade, opposed the Tesco plans for various reasons, including traffic congestion, noise and impact on other businesses. For more information please see an article in the Braintree and Witham Times, 7th February 2009. 

In autumn 2008 residents in Leigh-on-sea formed a campaign group"No Leigh Tesco" to oppose plans for a new Tesco Express convenience store on a former church site in Leigh. The church was a listed building and in December 2008 Southend Council's development Control Committee refused the application.

Tesco then submitted a new application for an Express store on the site of Parkstone Motor Company dealership on London road. Please see the Braintree and Witham Times, 21st February 2009. And on the 25th February the Development Control Committee approved the application. Please see an article in the Braintree and Witham Times, 26th February 2009.

A local shop-keeper is determined not to be defeated by Tesco and has received approval to open around the clock - please see the Evening Echo, 19th March, 2009.

Residents set up a campaign "St Albans Stop Tesco Group" to oppose Tesco's proposals to build a new store in St Albans. Tesco's site had already attracted controversy as it had formed part of its land bank of as yet undeveloped land, and residents believed the land could be put to better uses. 

On 11th February 2008 Tesco finally submitted a planning application - Herts Advertiser 14.02.08. On 2nd May 2008 representatives St Albans Stop Tesco and the St Albans Civil Society handed in a petition of 5,827 signatures to St Albans District Council - please see thisishertfordshire.co.uk 22.04.08.

On 1st July 2008 the application was unanimously refused by St Albans City and District Council’s Planning Referrals Committee. The Chair of Committee commented that "..a superstore in that location would have been unsuitable and the impact it would have had on the city centre of 4000 car movements a day would have had a detrimental effect on the city and environment". A webcast of the meeting is available on the council’s website by visiting www.stalbans.gov.uk and more information on the meeting is reported in an article in thisishertfordshire.co.uk 01.07.08.

According to an article in the St Albans and Harpenden Review, 15th December 2008 Tesco has confirmed it will not appeal the decision.

In January 2010, the St Albans Review confirmed Tesco has exchanged contracts to purchase the empty Woolworths store. In February, Tesco confirmed it does not intend to submit a further planning application and will instead concentrate on moving it's existing store to the empty Woolworths store. Please see an article in the St Albans Review, 8th February 2010.

Tesco in Hertford originally proposed to demolish its existing store of about 24,000 sq ft and 283 car parking spaces, and replace it with a store roughly double size at 49,000 sq ft and 469 car parking spaces.

A Hertford Residents Group was formed to vocalise local opinion and inform people how best to object to the proposal. Please see www.hertfordresidents.com.

At an East Hertfordshire District Council (EHDC) planning committee meeting on the 24th September 2008, Councillors backed the recommendation of EHDC planning officer and refused planning permission. For further information please see an article in the Hertford Mercury, 25th September 2008. However, in November 2008, Tesco launched an appeal against this decision. Please see an article in the Hertfordshire Mercury, 12th November, 2008.

However, in July 2009 Tesco announced it was withdrawing its appeal against East Herts Council's refusal of planning permission for a total redevelopment and instead plans to build a smaller extension to the current store of 24,000 sq ft (2,300 sqm ) new sales space. Please see an article in the Hertfordshire Mercury, 10th July 2009.

In December 2009 East Herts Development Control committee approved the application for an extension by seven votes to six. Please see the Hertfordshire Mercury, 17th December 2009.

In April 2009 the Government called-in a decision to allow a new Sainsbury’s supermarket to be built in Hertford, and a public inquiry was held in September 2009. In January 2010 the Planning Inspector ruled that planning permission should be given subject to a section 106 agreement. Please see an article in the Hertfordshire Mercury, January 2010.

Tesco submitted an application for a new store, including 18 flats on the site of an old petrol station and car repair shop close to the town's railway gates. Residents and existing retailers are concerned about traffic problems, as the new Tesco store would be near to Frinton's famous railway gates, noise and the impact on existing retailers.

A final decision about the proposed store, was due to be taken by Tendring District Council on December 4th but Tesco withdrew their plans on the 22nd November 2007.  For further information please see the East Anglian Daily Times, 22nd November 2007.

In 2008, Tesco and Exmax New Homes submitted plans to build 13 flats and a Tesco Express store in Walton Road. Frinton and Walton Town Council have recommended the application be refused. A petition with 2,187 signatures was handed to the council. For further information please see the Gazette, 20th October 2008.  

Tendring District Council planning committee met on the 10th December and unanimously rejected the application.  Officers at Tendring District Council had recommended the plan should be refused as they said it was contrary to planning policy and have concerns about access to the site. Please see an article at Sussex and Essex online, 5th December 2008 and an article on the 11th December.

Campaigners handed in a 470-signature petition to X-Leisure which manages the Cambridge Leisure Park where Tesco plans to open an Express store. X-Leisure will rent the store to Tesco. The store will not need planning permission for change of use but Tesco has applied for planning permission for air conditioning and refrigeration, a covered storage area, a cash machine and signage.

Local traders fear a new Tesco Express will damage their businesses. The fight begins on the back of news that Tesco has failed in two appeals for permission to build an extension as part of plans to open a separate store in Mill Road. For further information please see an article in Cambridge News, 14th November 2008.

However, on the 15th January 2009, Councillors approved the applications. Please see Cambridges News online, 16th January 2009.

Residents have been campaigning against Tesco's plans for an Express store at Unthank Road in Norwich since November 2004. Tesco has submitted three applications, each of which has been refused by the City Council planning committee. Tesco withdrew from two public inquiries, scheduled for August 2005 and December 2006. A third public inquiry started in January 2009 after City Councillors turned down Tesco's application in 2008 and Tesco appealed. 

On the 29th January 2009 the Planning Inspector over-turned a decison by Norwich City Council and gave Tesco the go-ahead to build the store. Please see the Evening News, 29th January 2009.

However, in January 2010, almost a year after the Planning Inspector's decision Tesco has still not started work on the store but has said it plans to open the store in summer 2010 and install the pedestrian crossing - please see an article in the Advertiser24, 28th January 2010.

In February 2006 Tesco submitted a planning application for a store in Crouch St. Local traders started a campaign against Tesco's plans Traders Enduring Supermarket's Continued New Openings (TESCNO), producing posters, a website and encouraging residents to make submissions on the planning application. Despite these efforts a Tesco Express store opened in 2006.

In 2008 Tesco submitted an application for an Express store on the site of Cherry Tree Garage. There was much opposition to the plans from residents. Colchester Council refused permission because it went against council policy and was outside a designated retail centre in an unsustainable out-of-centre location and that a Tesco Express would have “a negative effect on the viability and vitality” of nearby shops.

However, on 20th December 2008 the Braintree and Witham Times reported that Tesco plans to appeal against the decision.  In June 2009 a public inquiry into the decision was held and  in July 2009 permission was granted on appeal for the new store.

In October 2009, Sainsbury's applied to build a 150,000 sq ft store in Tollgate. The new store, if granted permission, will be double the size of its existing store.

On 17th July 2008 the Daily Telegraph reported that plans for an eco-town at Hanley Grange have been shelved because the Wellcome Trust, following pressure from residents, refused to sell land to Tesco. And on the 29th August 2008 The Times reported that Tesco has "pulled the plug" on the project. According to the article Tesco plan to start afresh with a conventional development on the site via the East of England regional strategy plan.

Campaigners in Cuffley, Hertfordshire, launched a campaign to stop Tesco knocking down the only pub in the centre of the village to turn it into a Tesco Express store. Following a public meeting on May 18th 2007, attended by 300 residents, a campaign group " Keep Cuffley Rural" was launched. The group organised a postal referendum on the proposed Tesco development and the ballot results, announced on the 20th June 2007, revealed that almost 2,500 (83%) Cuffley villagers voted against plans for a Tesco Express in the village. For further information please see BBC news coverage of the referendum results.

On 2nd August 2007 Welwyn and Hatfield Council approved the Tesco application. Please see the Keep Cuffley Rural response to the decision. The store opened at the end of November. On the 22nd  November 2007 a meeting was held to offer advice to existing shop-keepers in the village.

On the 12th December 2007 the Welwyn & Hatfield Times reported that Tesco had applied for planning permission to convert the upper level of the new store into flats. For further information, see the group's website at www.keepcuffleyrural.co.uk