A new campaign The No Clapton Tesco campaign has been set up to oppose plans for a new Tesco Express on Clapton Road. Tesco do not have to apply for planning permission to open the shop as the unit has the permission to be a retail unit (A1 usage) but two planning applications have been submitted by developers to change delivery hours and to load and unload on the road to the front of the unit.

The campaign group is encouraging residents to object and the council has decided to accept objections until the application goes to the planning sub-committee on a date to be decided. Details on how to object can be found here. Press coverage of the campaign includes this article in the Hackney Citizen, 25th May 2010 and an article on 1st July 2010.

For more information please visit The No Clapton Tesco campaign website.

On 26th May 2010 the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation planning committee gave approval for a multi-million pound Tesco scheme which includes 454 new homes, a Tesco supermarket, a new district centre with space for 17 shops and other outlets, a library, two-form entry primary school, 104-bed hotel, car park, business starter units and a riverside park and footpath. And on 21st July Tower Hamlets Borough Council approved the planning application.

A public inquiry began on 20th July into plans to compulsorily purchase land in Bromley-by-Bow to let Tesco open an outlet almost double the size of an existing store south of the Olympic site in Stratford. Please see an article in the Evening Standard, 28th May 2010.

In August 2009 the Emerson Park & Ardleigh Green Residents' Association was alerted by a member that Tesco wished to open an Express store in a parade of shops located in Butts Green Road, Hornchurch (RM11 2LD). The premises (no. 77-79) was an empty double shop and Tesco's plan was to add a huge single story extension that would run almost the entire length of the land which is very close to a residential dwelling next door. They made a planning application to Havering Council and we objected along with local traders and other residents.

Tesco withdrew the application and in December 2009  resubmitted a revised application that was very similar. We objected again. 

In February 2010, the planning permission was refused with a unanimous 10-0 majority. The main reasons being that there would be no parking for deliveries, refuse collection, no parking for staff nor customers thus making the store difficult to service. However, in June 2010 Tesco appealed against the refusal and a public inquiry will now be scheduled.

The Streatham hub project which includes a new Tesco supermarket, 250 new homes, 438 space car park, leisure centre, swimming pool and ice rink and leisure facilities was was first given planning permission in 2003, but has been racked by delays.

In March 2010 Tesco formerly agreed with Lambeth Council to provide the same leisure, housing and supermarket development as part of the Streatham Hub development as originally promised. Tesco plans to deliver it by December 2012. However, a change to the delivery of the project means the entire site will be knocked down at the same time, meaning the Streatham Ice Arena will be levelled before a new rink is built. Tesco has said it has not broken a promise of "continuity of ice provision" in the area, as a "high quality" temporary ice rink will be built in its place. 

In July 2010 Tesco submitted a planning application to increase the superstore it is building as part of the Streatham Hub project by some 50 per cent. The mezzanine floor it wants to add to the supermarket will expand its retail floorspace from 40,000 to 60,000sq ft. Please see an article in the Streatham Guardian, 22nd July 2010.

In January 2010 plans for a supermarket, with flats above it, to be built on the former Oak Tree Pub in Hillingdon were resubmitted.

The plans were originally put forward in August 2009. A campaign was launched against the plans by shopkeepers worried about the effect it would have on their trade, and residents in the community, who felt the site could be put to a better use, with parking also a concern.

In September the plans were thrown out on a technicality by councillors, who agreed at a planning meeting that the drawings did not match up with the requirements.

Residents have already told of plans to fight the new planning application, and are believed to be gathering signatures to a petition. For further information please see an article in the Uxbridge Gazette, 7th January 2010.

The application can be viewed at http://w09.hillingdon.gov.uk/images/dv_pl_files/1728_APP_2009_2566/001B.pdf

Local shopkeepers and residents in Woodside Green fear a Tesco Express is due to open on the site of the Beehive pub. Croydon Council received a planning application from Asprey Homes to demolish The Beehive pub and replace it with a retail unit along with five flats, eight houses and parking.

A local shopkeeper objected to the proposals and started a petition on December 4, which picked up more than 400 signatures in its first four days. Please see an article at thisiscroydontoday.co.uk, 12th December 2009

Croydon Council turned down the application in January 2010. Planning officers ruled that the development would have resulted in an overdevelopment of the site which would have affected the character of the area. They also said that a new retail store would have overshadowed the small shopping parade and would have had a negative impact on the other businesses in Woodside. Please see an article in thisiscroydontoday, 20th January 2010.

In April 2009 Tesco was granted an alcohol licence for its new shop in Wanstead High Street, on the site of the former Woolworths store. Local residents and traders launched a campaign against Tesco and handed in a petition which had been signed by 1,440 people.

The store opened on 19th December and members of Redbridge Green Party held a protest outside the store.

Traders in Pimlico organised a 300-signature petition against a proposal to open a Tesco Express store in their midst. Westminster council has received a planning application from Tesco to open a store on the site of an empty newsagent, a grocer and a Costcutter, merging all three premises.

Many local businesses said the loss of their shops would destroy the area and be a blow to the neighhourhood. Local residents have also written to the Council to oppose the planning application. For further information please see an article in the Evening Standard, 17th February 2009.

An application for a Sainsbury's supermarket and 16 flats in Chase Side, Enfield has been submitted but faces local opposition amid concerns it would put small traders out of business. Over 50 people protested against this proposal outside the civic centre and over 400 names have been collected on a petition. For more information please see an article in the Enfield Independent, 8th February 2010.

However, on the 25th February 2010 the application was withdrawn. The developer was Andrew Nicholas the Enfield North Conservative Association Chairman. The Association was actively opposing the application and delivered 900 leaflets to householders.

On the 8th October 2008 Hillingdon Council turned down an application from Tesco to open an Express store at the Kings Arms site, Breakspear Road North mainly on traffic concerns and potential problems with deliveries, and the conservation, character, vitality and vibrancy of the town centre. The decision followed a strong campaign by residents, shopkeepers and councillors concerned about the impact a Tesco Express store would have on their village and High Street. For further information please see an article in the Uxbridge Gazette, 9th October 2008.

However, in December 2008 Tesco re-submitted amended plans. But on the 17th March 2009, Hillingdon Council again turned down the plans on traffic and access issues. 

But after twice being refused permission Tesco decided to appeal and a public inquiry commenced on the 19th May 2009. Please see an article in the Uxbridge Gazette, 19th May 2009. 

The Harefield Community Group supported the Council's reasons for refusal and  presented their case on additional grounds as Rule 6 objectors. Richard Barnes the Deputy Mayor and a local resident gave a statement expressing their concerns about the impact both on the local economy and on the changes this would cause in the conservation area and local environment.  The Inspectors decision upheld the Council and Resident's Group concerns about the dangerous entry and exit and manoeuvring within the site as well as the effect on the conservation area. The refusal was upheld.

Tesco lodged a new planning application at the beginning of December 2009. Opponents claim the plans are a near replica of the application which was refused for the site next to Kings Arms Pub and have lodged objections. The decision will now be taken Hillingdon Council. Please see an article in the Uxbridge Gazette, 12th January 2010.

Tesco is planning to expand it's store in Harrow to a Tesco Extra by adding an extra floor to the store and extra levels of car parking. For more details please see an article in the Harrow Observer, 2nd January 2009.

The local residents association and businesses are opposed to these plans as they believe the expansion plans will have a negative impact on traffic in Harrow, the environment, the local economy, local shops, local jobs and local residents. If you want to read more about their concerns and sign their on-line petition then please visit http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/stop-tesco-expansion-in-harrow.html

Tesco submitted plans in June 2008 to redevelop its existing Old Kent Road store. The redevelopment plans would include a vastly expanded superstore, and new homes. The plans faced significant opposition from local community groups, including Bermondsey Community Council and from Southwark Council's Elephant and Castle regeneration partners. The Greater London Authority criticised the scheme on the basis that it does not comply with the London Plan as it is not in a designated retail centre. In September 2008, Tesco withdrew the planning application.  For further information, please see the London SE1 Community Website.

In early July 2008 New Barnet Community Association launched the "Save New Barnet Campaign" in response to growing concerns from residents regarding Tesco and Asda plans to build 24 hour superstores in New Barnet. Asda submitted its planning application on the 16th February 2009. Tesco has not yet submitted an application. 2,500 people have signed a petition opposing the proposals. Please see an article in the Barnet Times, 4th March 2009.

A new Tesco Express store in Victoria Road was given the green light by Councillors in April 2009, following an appeal by Tesco against an earlier refusal by Barnet Council who thought the store would be "visually intrusive" and not provide adequate off-street parking. Please see an article in the Barnet and Potters Bar Times, 14th April 2009 and an article on the 15th April 2009.

Bexleyheath Community Involvement Association (BCIA) is opposing plans by Tesco to build an 120,000 sq ft store in Bexleyheath, which could be up to six storeys high and include flats above the store. Over 100 people attended a public meeting, organised by the BCIA, on the 21st June 2008 to discuss the plans. Please see an article in the News Shopper, 1st July 2008. 

Tesco submitted two applications for the site in June 2008 and the BCIA encouraged residents to submit comments in response to the applications.

In March 2009 Tesco announced it was reducing the size of the store by around a third and reducing the numbers of homes form 400 to 150. The new plans went on show to the public in  March. Residents opposed to the application organised a protest outside the Woolwich Building on 21st March.

  
For further information please contact tescono@googlemail.com

Since 2005 residents and shopkeepers in Yiewsley have been opposing Tesco plans for a new superstore. Following a number of applications from Tesco and a public inquiry in 2007, London Borough of Hillingdon finally approved a revised application from Tesco on the 28th May 2008.  However, in September 2009, Tesco entered 9 changes to already agreed conditions. The Council has refused 4 of the conditions and Tesco has put these on appeal. The Planning Inspectorate has given Yiewsley Community Involvement Group to take part in the appeal.

In 2005 Tesco's proposals for a mixed use development including a supermarket were approved by Waltham Forest Borough Council, but the Mayor of London and Government Office for London intervened and in May 2006 the application was called-in by the Communities and Local Government Minister. A public inquiry took place in January 2007 to consider the application and in June 2007 the Secretary of State refused the application.

In July 2008 Tesco unveiled new plans at a three-day public exhibition and in September 2008 submitted plans to the council to build a 5,523 sq ft 24-hour store in an industrial estate off Larkshall Road. The proposals also included 253 homes, seven independent shops, 350 underground car parking spaces and offices, workshops and business start-up units. 

In November 2008 the Higham Park Forum and Higham Park Society organised a public meeting chaired by Iain Duncan-Smith MP. The meeting was unanimous in rejecting Tesco's proposals. For further information please see an article in the Waltham Forest Guardian, 20th February 2009
"Residents voice opposition to Highams Park Tesco Development", Waltham Forest Guardian, 15th August 2009.

Redbridge Council objected to the plans and 159 objections were received. Please see an article in the Waltham Forest Guardian, 31st August 2009 and an article from the 3rd September 2009

On 8th September Waltham Forest Council deferred the decision while more detailed evidence on the potential impact the development could have on traffic and businesses in the area - please see an article in the Waltham Forest Guardian, 8th September 2009.

At the Committee meeting on the 13th October, Councillors voted 5-4 to approve the application. Campaigners are now calling on the Secretary of State to call-in the application. Please see an article in the Waltham Forest Guardian, 30th October 2009. However, on the 30th November the Waltham Forest Guardian reported that the Secretary of State, John Denham, has decided not to call-in the application.

Please visit the Highams Park Forum website for more information on the campaign.

In 2006 residents in Tolworth formed a campaign group to oppose plans for a Tesco development in  Tolworth, Kingston. A public planning consultation forum was held in November 2006 at which the local MP spoke against the plans and which received local press coverage. The meeting was so full that a second session was held. On both occasions the overwhelming view was one of opposition. A decision was expected by the Council in March or April, but Tesco announced on 20th February 2007 that it was withdrawing its plans for Tolworth. Please see articles in the Evening Standard and Daily Mail.  

However, in November 2008 Tesco launched new proposals for Tolworth and exhibited its new plans at two public exhibitions in November 2008 - see http://www.tolworthliving.co.uk/ and an article in the Kingston Guardian, 19th November 2008.

In April 2009 Tesco announced it was withdrawing its application. Please it's press release at http://www.kingston.gov.uk/information/news_and_events/news.htm?id=86351 and read an article by Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton in the Hownslow Chronicle, 18th May 2009.

For more information please see the current campaign website at www.everylittlehurts.co.uk

The White Hart Action Group (the WHAG) was formed to try and stop a proposed Sainsburys store in White Hart Lane, Barnes, Richmond -on-Thames, London.

WHAG held a local referendum in June 2007,organised by the Electoral Reform Society, to afford residents the chance to express their opposition, in the hope that it will make Sainsburys think again. Ballot papers were sent to 7,340 people in the area and just over 85% of the votes cast were against the store.

For further information please see the WHAG campaign website at www.savetheheartofwhitehartlane.co.uk and media coverage of the Referendum.

Residents in Ickenham opposed Tesco's application for a development on the Master Brewer site on Hillingdon Circus in West London. The application was for a mixed use scheme including a 7,000 sq m store (4266/APP/2005/2979). Residents believed that the development would be over-dominant, was unsuited to the site and location, would have put pressure on the road network, would have impacted severely on local shops, and would have caused unacceptable noise and air pollution to residents. The campaign gained support from MPs, councillors and traders. Hillingdon Borough Council refused the application.

After Tesco appealed, an Inquiry opened in October 2006, which was delayed for traffic issues to be considered further. The Inquiry opened again on 8th January 2007. Campaigners challenged traffic projection figures that Tesco had submitted, leading Transport for London to question Tesco's figures. Tesco withdrew the application during the process of the Inquiry.

An application was submitted in December 2005 for a redevelopment in Winchester Road, Swiss Cottage, in Northwest London. The application was for new 5-floor buildings with 76 flats and a retail unit. The development would replace an existing block of flats with a parade of shops. At that stage, residents  signed a petition asking that the existing shops be kept. The application was approved by Camden Council in June 2006.

In 2007, residents found out that a unit in the development would be occupied by Tesco for a 312 sq m store. Residents were concerned about the impact on their quality of life from deliveries, noise from the store, and traffic and parking disruption. They also felt that a new store was not needed in the area: there is already a Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer in Finchley road, Tesco Express stores in Hampstead and Belsize Park, large Sainsbury's and Morrisons stores in Camden, and a number of small independent supermarkets in the Swiss Cottage area.

Following its acquisition of Europa Foods, Tesco established itself in the quiet community of St Margaret's, a London 'village' community between Richmond and Twickenham. Local residents are angry that Tesco were allowed to 'barge' their way into the community without seemingly any need for planning approval.  Local councillors have told residents there was little or nothing that could be done to prevent Tesco's arrival. Residents feel Tesco's arrival has had an adverse effect on their High Street.

Tesco applied to build an Express convenience store on Ballards Lane in Finchley, less than a mile from another of its stores. Traders, concerned at the potential impact of the store, campaigned against it. In what has been described as a landmark decision, Barnet Borough Council rejected the application on the grounds of Planning Policy Statement 6 (PPS6), which aims to protect town centres. The council, which turned down the application in December 2005, argued that the store would damage other shops on the High Street, so would be damaging to the vitality and viability of the town centre, against the stipulations of PPS6. A public Inquiry took place in January 2007. In April 2007 a Planning Inspector decided against the application, upholding the Council's decision. The Planning Inspector judged that the store would harm the vitality and viability of local town centres and that the application had failed to demonstrate need for the store.

For further information, please see local media coverage of the 2007 refusal, and allegation's about Tesco's manipulation of the planning system. Also, media coverage from 2006 on Barnet's refusal and the appeal.  Read Barnet Council's decision notice setting out the reasons for refusal and see information about the appeal on the Planning Inspectorate's website and read the decision letter.