In May 2010 Tesco submitted a new planning application for a 3,716 sq m store on Poplar Drive in Kingsbridge. The Town Council voted unanimously in their recommendation for refusal of planning permission on the grounds that certain specifications, including a tower lift to Fore Street, had not been met, and that changes in the town meant the supermarket was no longer necessary. 

Members of the public have been vocal in their disapproval of the new application, which is the same as the original application submitted in 2007 without the environmentally-friendly changes put forward in 2008. 

Tesco currently hold planning permission to build on the site until July 1, 2010, and if they commence building before this time, they will no longer need to submit the renewed application.  On the 3rd July thisisdevon.co.uk reported that work on the new Tesco store has started.
 

In February 2010 plans for a new Tesco store in Churchdown were discussed at a public meeting attended by 200 people.

Campaign group Churchdown Against Tesco Site (Cats) held the meeting at St John’s Church Hall to talk about the proposed 2,230 sqm supermarket and 107 car parking spaces at the former Hurrans Garden Centre in Cheltenham Road East. For more information please see an article at thisisgloucestershire.co.uk, 10th February 2010.

The application is currently being looked at by Tewkesbury Borough Council and view the design and access statement here or visit the planning section at www.tewkesbury.gov.uk.

On 18th March Tesco withdrew the plans but says it will review the proposals and hopes to submit new plans. Please see an article at thisisgloucestershire.co.uk, 18th March 2010.

In September 2009, Sainsbury's announced plans to open a store in Wadebridge. Sainsbury's held a two-day public exhibition at Wadebridge Town Hall in September 2009. In May 2010 it submitted plans for a 31,000sq ft supermarket on the vacant land next to the Higher Trenant council offices to the Council. The key changes include retaining the former North Cornwall District Council HQ building, reducing the store size by 4,000 sq ft and removing the proposed customer café.

Local retailers have set up a campaign and petition at www.lovewadebridge.com. The group has handed in a 3,000-signature petition to try to prevent Cornwall Council selling Higher Trenant to Sainsbury's. Please see an article at thisiscornwall.co.uk, 24th February 2010.

In February 2010, Tesco announced that it had been granted planning permission to expand its warehouse to house a new Tesco Direct desk in-store.

Meanwhile, Morrison's wants to build a store on the local football ground in Wadebridge. To gain permission, it has offered to provide a replacement ground at nearby Bodieve. But the possibility that dormice, a European Protected Species, are inhabiting the site has led planning officers to recommend that the council refuse permission. The local planning officer said the football club development should be refused as "there is a reasonable likelihood of dormice being present." Morrisons has commissioned a local ecologist to carry out a dormouse survey and has asked Cornwall Council to defer its decision on the planning application until the survey has been completed.

Tesco has secured the lease on an old comedy club (Jesters) on the Cheltenham Road. Over 2,500 petition cards have been sent to Bristol City Council from people who don’t want a Tesco in Stokes Croft demanding a meaningful consultation. Campaign group No Tesco in Stokes Croft’s own consultation of nearly 500 people found a staggering 96% believe the Cheltenham Road does not need another supermarket – there are already five Tesco stores trading within one mile,

The leader of Bristol City Council and MP for Bristol West have supported the NO Tesco in Stokes Croft campaign and publicly asked Tesco to back down and meet with the community. Tesco have offered to meet with the council but still resist proper consultation with local people.

In August 2010 Tesco submitted its final planning applications to change the shop front and for an alcohol license. Residents have until 21st September to lodge objections. Please see http://notesco.wordpress.com/ for a template objection letter.

Find more information on the campaign, media coverage and how to take action:
www.NoTescoInStokesCroft.org.uk

Hayle is facing planning applications by Sainsbury's and ING Real Estate. The latter is planning a store in South Quay. A public meeting was held in January 2010 where the Town Council almost unanimously gave the thumbs-down to the planned building projects.

The villagers of Angarrack, have submitted a 70-strong petition against the proposed Sainsbury's store, and claim that building on the marshy flood plain would create traffic gridlock, isolate villagers, ruin local businesses and 'sacrifice the local wildlife at the high alter of commerce'.

It was revealed that Morrisons has now officially declared their interest and taken an option on the Jewson site, and Asda confirmed that its detailed planning application would follow shortly after it had concluded a public consultation.

With three of the 'big four' now at the table, only Tesco remain silent, though it is expected to feature in any bids for ING's site, which could become the subject of a Dutch auction in the event that permission is granted. For further information please see an article at thisiscornwall.co.uk, 28th January 2010.

In March 2010 Cornwall Council advised ING Real Estate to withdraw its plans to build a supermarket on Hayle's South Quay as there were fundamental issues with the application and officials would recommend it for refusal. The application provided insufficient information about the effect of extra traffic, and concerns over the impact on the Foundry area, the scale and location of the building and the way it is linked into the conservation area were among the reasons. Please see an article in South West Business, 11th March 2010.

A development company is planning to build an Asda supermarket on the former Woodward Diesel Systems headquarters in Hatherley Lane as part of an office development the size of two football pitches. 80,000 sq ft of offices will be built alongside the store.

But small shops and community groups in other parts of the town say it could draw away trade and local residents are concerned about the impact of increased traffic. Please see thisisgloucestershire.co.uk, 25th January 2010. Cheltenham Connect supports local traders and is campaigning against the development.

Developers Cheltenham Office Park and Robert Hitchins have been looking for a new use for the 11-acre site in The Reddings since 2007. The developers are organising a meeting with Up Hatherley Parish Council to discuss concerns. Please see an article at thisisgloucestershire.co.uk, 30th January 2010.

In June 2009 Tesco submitted a "reserved matters" planning application (in relation to the planning permission in June 2001) to North Devon District Council for a new 7,400 square metre superstore on the site of Brian Ford's supermarket in Barnstaple.

Councillors were due to consider the application on 13th January 2010 but the decision as been deferred in the light of new government planning guidance released on 29th December. Please see "Tesco planning bid faces deferral", 13th January 2010 and  "MP urges caution over Tesco plan", 12th January 2010.

On 17th March 2010 Councillors on North Devon Council's planning committee voted 14-10 to approve the plans. Please see an article at thisisnorthdevon.co.uk, 17th March 2010.

On the 30th June 2010 a group of local Barnstaple residents staged a protest in the town, collecting 656 signatures to boycott the opening of the store.

In late December 2009 Tesco submitted a planning application to open a convenience store with 100 parking spaces on Salisbury Road business park. Please see an article in the Gazette and Herald, 31st December 2009. In August 2009 Tesco representatives met with traders who voiced fears that this proposed out-of-town store will take business away from the High Street. For further information please see an article at thisiswiltshire.co.uk, 20th August 2009.

Sainsbury's also submitted an application for a supermarket on 12th March 2010. Wiltshire Council has decided to delay the meeting to consider the Tesco application, originally scheduled for Thursday 25th February. Both applications were then due to be considered on 18th March but again the meeting was deferred. For further information please see an article in Marlborough People, 16th February 2010 and Marlborough People, 12th March 2010.

On 29th April Wiltshire Council's planning commitee unanimously approved the Tesco application, despite a last minute appeal from Sainsbury’s to adjourn their decision until plans for its own rival store on the adjacent highways depot site could be considered. Please see an article in the Gazette and Herald, 6th May 2010.

Tesco submitted plans to Mendip District Council in February 2009 to build a new 41,000 sq ft supermarket on the site of Avalon Plastics and won outline permission to redevelop the site. Avalon Plastics won outline permission to build a new factory on the Morlands site in Beckery New Road.

On the 12th August Mendip District Council planning committee approved the application for a new Tesco store which would be built on stilts, with 324 car parking spaces underneath,
but with a number of conditions attached. For more information please see an article at BBC news, 13th August 2009 and an article at thisissomerset.co.uk, 13th August 2009.

But on the 19th November Mendip District Council confirmed that it's decision to approve a Tesco application for a store on the site of Avalon Plastic's factory has been called-in by the Secretary of State. For further information please see Central Somersert News, 19th November 2009.

In December the Parish Council in neighbouring village Street decided to oppose the Tesco application in Glastonbury. Please see thisissomerset.co.uk, 16th December 2009.      

In  February 2010 Tesco withdrew its application for the project. But in July 2010 the Central Somerset Gazette reported that Tesco is preparing to submit a new application for a smaller 25,000 sq ft store on the site.

In May 2009 Tesco confirmed that it was interested in building a new store on the site of Bristol football club's existing ground. The Bristol Evening Post revealed that the club was talking to Tesco over the sale of Ashton Gate. A new store would be the key link in funding the new 30,000-seat stadium at nearby Ashton Vale. 

BERATE (Bedminster Residents Against Tesco's Expansion into Ashton Gate) was set up by local residents to oppose the plans.

However, following a strong campaign against the Tesco proposal, Bristol City FC confirmed it  signed a deal to sell off it's ground at Ashton Gate to Sainsbury's in October 2009. The current Sainsbury's store on Winterstoke Road would be demolished and a new, larger store built at Ashton Gate.

In January 2010, Sainsbury's revealed that it's new 9,300sq m store would be double the size of it's existing store on Winterstoke Road and be built on stilts with a car park underneath. Please see an article at thisisbristol.co.uk, 25th January 2010. Sainsbury's submitted its application in early March - please see bbc.co.uk, 9th March 2010.

A new campaign website has been set up "Bristol against Sainsbury's insane colossal superstore at Ashton Gate" to oppose a new superstore in Ashton Gate.

In July planning officers decided to recommend outline planning approval for the store. Please see an article at Bedminster People. However, on 22nd July 2010 Bristol City Councillors refused Sainsbury's permission to relocate it's Winterstoke Road store to Ashton Gate.

Tesco has bought a vacant factory plot at St Saviour's, Ottery St Mary.  Residents and the town's Chamber of Commerce, are concerned that a supermarket will "drain the resources of the town". Ottery is a vibrant market town with many independent traders. A group "Sustainable Ottery" is opposing the plans.   Over 150 people attended a public meeting organised by the group on 9th January 2009. Please see an article in devon24.co.uk, 12th January 2009 for coverage of the meeting.

Sainsbury's also wants to build a store of around 20,000 sq ft in Hind Street on a Council owned car park and in late November it submitted a formal planning application to East Devon District Council. At the end of October Ottery Town Council formally voted against the proposal. Please see an article at devon24.co.uk, 2nd November 2009.

In February, Devon County Council (DCC) highways experts revealed they have "no objections" to Sainsbury's Hind Street bid, but Tesco factory site plans were recommended for refusal.  Please see devon24.co.uk, 23rd February 2010.

In March independent planning experts cast doubt over both applications because they predict that they will both negatively impact on existing traders and town centre. Please see an article in www.devon24.co.uk, 22nd March 2010.

On 15th April 2010 East Devon District Council approved the Sainsbury's plans and rejected Tesco's plans  for a 20,000 sq ft store. Please see bbc.co.uk, 16th April 2010.

Agricultural machine specialist J Gliddon and Sons are planning to build a new supermarket at the back of their premises in Bank Street. The plans also include a 175-space car park and pedestrian access to Fore Street. They hope to recruit one of the big five supermarkets to take on the store.

The plans were exhibited at the end of February as part of a consultation exercise prior to the plans being submitted to the Council. Please see an article at thisisthewestcountry.co.uk, 23rd February 2010.

The planning applications for the "regeneration area" in Seaton, now 80% owned by Tesco, was supposed to take place in early August 2009.  The site is a floodplain of the River Axe, next to two nature reserves (one local and one national) and close to a Site of Special Scientific Interest, as well as being only a couple of hundred yards from the sea and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site.  Tesco said it wanted to infill the flood plain by bringing 75% of the infill in by barge moored 1-2 km out to sea. Local district councillors and officers were very enthusiastic about this and it won hearts and minds for Tesco.

On 15th September 2009,  East Devon District Council's development management committee gave Tesco the green light despite major opposition from residents who favoured an application from Sainsbury’s. However, it was resolved by planners that preference would be shown to Tesco as it could most quickly press ahead with its plans. A long list of planning conditions were attached to the permission including £1.7m towards providing a Jurassic Coast visitor centre. Please see an article at devon24.co.uk, 16th September and an article at thisisexter.co.uk, 16th September.

Seaton Town Council tried to get a public inquiry into the supermarket's application (see devon24.co.uk, 25th September 2009) but the Secretary of State, John Denham, refused the Council's request to call-in the application.

A new organisation has been set up to monitor each and every planning condition attached to the site, where individuals will "adopt" a planning condition and be responsible for trackings its progress or lack of progress.  Seaton Development Trust is hosting "Seaton Tescowatch"
and has a blog to keep people up to date on the situation:  http://tescowatchseaton.blogspot.com/

In March 2009 Tesco submitted new, scaled-down plans for a 28,000 sq ft store and 230 car parking spaces for the former Kleeneze and Sealtech sites in Hanham. Tesco started the consultation process in November 2007 but received numerous complaints that the original plans for a 45,000 sq ft store would threaten existing shops and cause major traffic problems. It did not submit a proposal at the time but has now scaled down the plans and submitted an application.

A campaign group "Say No To Tesco Group"  has been set up and has distributed 3,000 leaflets to residents in the area and more than 500 letters of objection were received by the Council. A petition against the development with 685 signatures was also presented to the Council.

In November, planning officers recommended the application be refused. For more information please see an article at thisisbristol.co.uk, 5th December 2009.  On the 10th December South Gloucestershire Council's development control committee turned down the application. Please see an article at thisisbristol.co.uk, 11th December 2009.

On the 26th January 2010, thisisbristol.co.uk reported that Tesco is considering an appeal against the planning refusal.

In September 2007 Tesco was chosen as the preferred developer to progress a multi-million pound town centre regeneration scheme in Brixham. The plans could include a new 27,000 square feet foodstore, approximately 350 car parking spaces, 40 residential units and 10 ancillary retail units. Detailed proposals went on show to the public in early November. For further information please visit the South West of England Regional Development Agency website and thisissouthdevon.co.uk 25 October 2007 and press coverage of the public exhibition of the plans.

On  the 3rd October 2008 an article in thisissouthdevon.co.uk reported that plans for Brixham's town centre regeneration scheme have been delayed due to contamination work, involving a former multi-storey car park which was built on gasworks adn ancient harbour - which could cost £1 million to remedy. The final Tesco supermarket/parking/housing/shops plan was due for display in October for public consultation but this has now slipped back several weeks.

In March 2009 the old Woolworth's store in Brixham re-opened as as Tesco Express.

In February 2010 Torbay Council confirmed Tesco's continued commitment to a new supermarket on the town centre car-park.

Tavistock is a very attractive, vibrant market town with two medium sized supermarkets and several specialist food stores in the town and a Morrisons supermarket outside the town centre.   In 2007 Sainsburys proposed a huge development with petrol station on a site adjacent to Morrisons which had already been earmarked by the Council for non-retail purposes. Residents, local traders and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce have formed the Brook Campaign to oppose what they feel is a totally inappropriate development.

In October 2008 planning permission was refused by unanimous vote of local Councillors because the development would have a detrimental effect on the vitality of the town centre.  In December 2008 Sainsburys submitted an appeal against this decision.  Members of the Brook Campaign took part in the appeal and in May 2009 the Planning Inspector refused Sainsbury's appeal.

Tesco plans to expand its store in Tewkesbury by 25%. The plan also includes the building of 52 apartments on a neighbouring area of land.  There are concerns amongst residents and Brockworth and Hucclecote Parish Councillors that expanding the Tesco store would create a monopoly and reduce competition in the town. For further information please see an article at thisisgloucestershire.co.uk, 14th May 2009.

On 28th May Tewkesbury Borough Councillors approved the plans to expand it's floor space by more than 1,300sq m to 5,234sq m.

Here in the little Cathedral City of Wells, Somerset we have the most beautiful photogenic and quinissentially English rural City. But we believe Tesco is planning to take-over our city centre.

In September 2009, Mendip District Council refused an application from Sainsbury's for a new store off Strawberry Way. Please see an article at thisissomerset.co.uk, 8th September 2009.

In March 2010, thisissomerset.co.uk reported that Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Morrisons all want to open stores in Wells. The Waitrose and Sainsbury's proposals were due to be heard by the Council on March 17th but the Council has postponed the decision after a last minute application from Morrisons. Please see an article at thisissomerset.co.uk, 18th March 2010.

In August 2009 residents of Bridgwater learnt that Tesco is the frontrunner to take over the Splash site. Somerset County Council and Sedgemoor District Council, who jointly own the site in Northgate, announced that out of three potential bidders, only Tesco is still interested in buying the site. Splash was closed and decommissioned at the end of August. Please see an article at thisissomerset.co.uk, 20th August 2009.

On the 24th August protesters marched through the town centre shouting 'Save our Splash' and 'No more supermarkets' as anger grew over the possibility of yet another major store coming to Bridgwater. For further information please see an article at thisissomerset.co.uk, 25th August 2009.

In December 2009 the group,  Bridgwater Forward, explored launching a judicial review but unfortunately funds prohibited them taking this forward. They are now waiting for the Local Government Ombudsman to give judgement on charges of Maladministration against Sedgemoor District Council in their handling of the closure of the Splash.

Residents in Lymington Road, Torquay objected to plans for a new Tesco Express store. Tesco already has permission for change of use but needed permission for signs, a cash machine and air conditioning units. Matters were due to be decided by officers acting under delegated powers but, after some residents protested about the plans, all decisions were put to members in November 2008.

Residents have raised fears of noise outside office hours, noise from deliveries and the potential for an increase in traffic. Some are also worried about the sale of alcohol and the existence of two other branches of Tesco nearby.

Officers have recommended approval of the installation of a cash machine and conditional approval of the signs, but that permission for the condenser and air condition units is denied.  For further information please see an article in thisissouthdevon.co.uk, 17th November 2008. The store opened in early February 2009. Please see an article at thisisplymouth.co.uk, 3rd February 2009.

In August 2009 Tesco confirmed it is at early stages of looking at opening a store on the edge of Toquay at Edginswell Business Park. Please see an article in thisisplymouth, 7th August 2009.

Residents have set up a campaign group "Say no to Sainsbury's" to protest against an application by Sainsbury's to build a supermarket on sports fields in the town. On 15th October 2008 Caradon District Council planning committee rejected the application. The planning officer's report said that the supermarket would have a detrimental impact on traders in Fore Street and would see the loss of a valuable green space near the town centre.

In 2007 Tesco unveiled plans for a new store to be built on playing fields at Sandy Lane, Dawlish. Teignbridge District Council own the land and lease it to Dawlish Football Club.

Tesco launched a public consultation in December 2007, and a campaign group “Dawlish Against Developing Sandy Lane (DADS)” was set up to oppose the plans. Please see a press release "Dawlish residents are furious at the District Council.doc", 8th October 2007.

On the 1st May 2008, Tesco withdrew its proposals to develop Sandy Lane, but focused attention on developing a store at Lady's Mile Holiday Park. Sainsbury's then submitted plans for a new store in Shutterton, and despite the planning officer recommending refusal, the Councillors approved the application. A proposal to defer the plan so members could consider it alongside the pending Tesco application was also lost.

Tesco's plans to develop at store at the holiday park were refused but Tesco applied for judicial review to challenge the Council's decision on this application and in March 2009 Tesco was granted leave to seek a judicial review to challenge approval for Sainsbury's store in the town.

The Keep Easton Alive campaign group was formed in 2007 to raise awareness of the dangers and problems relating to a proposed supermarket development adjacent to Easton Square, Portland. Initial interviews with local residents and businesses showed 97.5% were against the site suggested by developers.

Details of revised proposals for a supermarket and housing development as part of a £20 million development by Chelverton Development were distributed to residents in June 2008. For further information please see an article in the Dorset Echo, 18th June 2008.

In December 2008, Tesco and development company Chelverton Deeley Freed, submitted an application to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council. Please see an article in the Dorest Echo, 22nd December 2008.

The Council's planning committee met to consider Tesco's planning application on 1st April 2009 and voted 8 to 4 in favour of the application.

In October 2009, the Dorset Echo reported that Tesco is trying to reverse a previously agreed planning condition not to sell newspapers and magazines at the store.

 For further information please visit the campaign website at www.keepeastonalive.org.uk

Tesco already has a Tesco supermarket in Honiton but has acquired a separate parcel of land, and plans to build a new, much larger store in the town. Residents are concerned about the impact on traffic congestion and on the town's shops. Honiton currently has a thriving range of independent shops and retailers.

On the 20th March 2008 East Devon District Council planning officers turned down the application because of insufficient evidence about the potential adverse retail impact on Honiton and surrounding areas and the affect on the strategic and local highway network. For more information please see the article in the Express & Echo on the 21st March 2008, and an article in the Midweek Herald, 27th March 2008.

However, in April Tesco confirmed that it would appeal against East Devon District Council's ruling. The Appeal hearing opened on Tuesday 11th November 2008. Please see an article in the North Devon Gazette, 12th November 2008.

On the 11th January 2009, an article in thisisexeter.co.uk reported that the Planning Inspectorate had dismissed Tesco's appeal, ruling that a new, larger store in Ottery Moor Lane to replace the existing one in Battishorne Way would destroy town centre shops. Parking and loss of industrial land for employment were also grounds for dismissing the appeal. To view the appeal decision please go to http://www.seaton.gb.net/docs/APPEAL%20DECISION.pdf. See also coverage from the BBC.

In December 2008 an online petition was launched against plans to redevelop the Friendship pub in Knowle, Bristol, into a Tesco Express store. Shopkeepers and residents are concerned that the new branch will ruin local businesses. The online petition was submitted by Knowle resident Glenn Vowles, and is in addition to a paper petition started by a local business.

More than 130 attended a public meeting in February 2009 to discuss the proposal and more than 1,600 people signed the petitions. For further information please see an article at thisisbristol.co.uk, 16th February 2009. The plans for the pub and the car park were considered by the Council's Development Control Committee in April and the committee asked Tesco to revise its plans for a 12-space car park.

In May 2009 Bristol Civic Society applied to English Heritage to have the Friendship pub listed. Please see an article in thisisbristol.co.uk, 16th May 2009.

The application was considered again at the end of July and Councillors gave consent for the pub garden to be turned into a  12-space car park, thus paving the way for the premises to be turned into a Tesco Express store. For further information please see thisisbristol.co.uk, 30th July 2009.

The saga of a new Tesco supermarket in South Molton has been on-going since 2004.  Tesco want to build a store of approx 30,000 sq ft. It currently owns land in South Molton, which is leased to South Molton Recycle, but needs more land to build its store.  According to an article in the North Devon Gazette, 30th April 2008 the Executive of North Devon District Council agreed to sell part of the Central Car Park to Tesco, but the sale of the land has stalled. In September 2008, it reported that money from the sale of land to Tesco would be used to re-house the livestock market  . The site of the livestock market was ear-marked for a foodstore in a development brief by North Devon District Council in 2006. Please see an article in thisisexeter.co.uk, 16th February 2009.

In July 2009 the North Devon Gazette reported that North Devon Council's Executive has agreed to sell part of the central car park ot Tesco for around £3million. Tesco already owns land adjoining the car-park.

Sainsbury's owns the former Somerfield store in town and Morrisons has been in discussions with South Molton Town Council about building a new store in the "central development area" but have been told by North Devon Council that this is not acceptable as it will disturb medieval burgage plots, but residents point out these were there in 2004 when the land was identified for re-development. Residents feel the Council has been determined to get the £2-3million Tesco has been offering and will not consider alternative plans.

In February 2010 South West Business News reported that mystery still surrounds Tesco's plan for South Molton, with locals seeking a judicial review over the sale of land for the store. The council has said it is now working with Tesco on a development agreement for South Molton which is now with the lawyers. At the end of July thisisnorthdevon.co.uk reported that North Devon Council gave authority to council officers to make arrangements for the central area to be freed up for use by Tesco.

In September 2007 Tesco submitted a planning application for a 40,000 square-foot supermarket on the former Gregory's Transport depot in London Road, Amesbury.  For further information please see local media coverage in the Salisbury Journal, 27th September 2007.

On the 22nd May 2008 Salisbury District Council's planning and regulatory committee approved plans for new supermarkets from Tesco and Sainsbury's.  In August 2008 the plans were "called-in" by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government because the decision went against council policy on out-of-town shopping development. Please see the Salisbury Journal, 20th August 2008.

A public inquiry into the applications began on the 13th January 2009 and resumed at the end of April 2009. Please see the Salisbury Journal, 11th December 2008 and information on Salisbury District Council website.

In September 2009, the Planning Inspector granted developers approval to build a new Tesco store on London Road. The Secretary of State agreed with Inspector's recommendation and considered the Tesco application to be preferable to the Asda proposal in terms of accessibility and the sequential approach, design and landscape impacts and employment policy. Please see an article in the Salisbury Journal, 23rd September 2009.

Residents have been campaigning against Tesco plans for a new Extra superstore in Clevedon, a small residential town in North Somerset, since 2007.

In July 2007 Tesco withdrew its plans to demolish the existing store and build a new store twice as big. However, in December 2008 it published new plans but these were rejected by North Somerset Planning Committee.

In March 2009, an article in thisissomerset.co.uk revealed that Tesco has submitted a planning application for an extension to the existing store. It is understood that the extension is for a new "dot.com" facility, to expand its internet home delivery service. Clevedon Chamber of Commerce objected to the plans - please see an article at thisissomerset.co.uk, 9th April 2010.

Residents in Exmouth are opposing plans for an Asda store near the estuary - a beautiful site with various protection orders and rare birdlife.  The town has rejected development on the Exe twice in two consultations and there was a petition of 10,900 people opposing it, which was presented to the House of Commons.  Residents were assured the deal was dead.  Now it has been resuscitated.  The Council has announced Asda as its 'regeneration partner'.

In mid-February 2009 Asda announced it would be withdrawing its proposals. Please see thisisexeter.co.uk, 12th February 2009.

In March 2009 Tesco resubmitted an application to East Devon District Council (EDDC) for a store extension, hoping it will re-evaluate their decision following the withdrawal of plans for an Asda superstore. The plans for an extension to its store were rejected in 2008 by EDDC's head of planning, Kate Little, who advised that more out-of-town shopping had the 'potential to damage the town centre'. Following the decision, they appealed - and an appeal date was set for the end of May and the start of June 2009.

But following Asda's decision Tesco felt the 'time was now right' to resubmit the application. Please see an article in the Exmouth Herald, 6th March 2009.  Planning officers recommended that Councillors approve the application and  in early April EDDC approved the application - please see an article in thisisplymouth.co.uk, 9th April 2009.

In September, the Exmouth Journal reported that Tesco does not need planning permission for it's third store in Exmouth - an Express store on Rolle street. However, the Town Council refused applications for a cash point and replacement shopfront. The applications will now be considered by District Planners.

Tesco own land in Bideford that the council had allocated for housing development and a 1,000 square metre store and a row of small lock up shops. In early 2007 Tesco submitted a planning application for a much bigger store than the 1,000 sq m allocated. In January 2007 the Council received approximately 15 letters objecting to the store and a petition of 300 signatures was handed in. In February 2007 Tesco withdrew their application.

However, in May 2008 Tesco unveiled plans for a new 25,000 sq ft store, next to the Industrial Link Road in East-the-Water, at two public exhibitions. Please see an article in the North Devon Gazette, 23rd May 2008.

A planning application for a 21,000 sq ft (3,266 sq m) store at East-The-Water was submitted to Torridge District Council - please see an article at thisisplymouth.co.uk, 30th October 2008. On the 13th November 2008, Torridge District Council approved the application but the application. The Government Office for the South West also approved the application in February 2009 - please see an article at thisisnorthdevon.co.uk, 13th November 2008 and work is due to start on the store in summer 2010 - please see an article in South West Business News, 18th February 2010.

In October 2008 residents and shopkeepers in Lyme Regis learnt that Tesco had purchased the Woolworths store in the town. Concerned traders and community members set up a campaign website www.everylittlehurtslyme.wordpress.com but on the 30th January 2009 the Bridport News reported that Tesco is continuing with the refurbishment despite it not having planning permission for the new shopfront and ATM. It did not need planning permission for change of use.

On 12th January 2009 East Dorset District Council rubber stamped an earlier decision to approve a Waitrose store in Wimbourne. Please see an article in the Bournemouth Echo, 2nd March 2009. Following the decision the Chairman of the 'Keep Wimborne Town Green' registered an application to have the site protected as a town green. The store opened in July 2010.

Residents organised a protest against Tesco's development plans, which gained planning approval, and involved building on woodland and cutting down 200 trees and repositioning the cenotaph. One protester, Oliver Carter, was living in a tree house for 11 days to protest the loss of the trees. However, on 22nd February 2006 Tesco won a high court order to remove the activists from the site. 

In June 2010 Tesco applied to change the use of the current New Look store which will be moved to where Woolworths previously occupied.  The 10,000sq feet store (unit 5) will effectively become an extension of Tesco and is likely to sell hot food and drink to eat in.  At present this change of use application has been presented to a Town Council planning meeting and will next be heard by Mendip. Please see an article at http://www.sheptonmalletpeople.co.uk/news/Tesco-s-cafe/story-5411668-detail/story.html, 2nd July 2010.

Tesco submitted an application in April 2006 for outline permission for a 2,788 sq.m store on a sports field on the edge of town. Tesco's action delayed a decision on an application made by Somerfield in 2005 to move its inner town site to the edge of town, which most people had no problem with. Residents set up the Tesco Turf Wars at Torrington campaign, and lobbied councillors against the Tesco development. The local MP wrote to Ruth Kelly, then Minister for communities and local government, to demand a Public Inquiry. Torridge District Council refused Tesco's application in December 2006.

For more information, please see a feature in the Sunday Telegraph and for information about the decision to refuse Tesco please see an article in the Sunday Telegraph.

A Public Inquiry was held on 7th February 2007 in Nailsea on a store application by agents for Tesco. The agents had appealed against non-determination of the application by the Council.

For the Public Inquiry the developers employed a Barrister, and North Somerset District Council a solicitor.  Our case was that the 586 sq m was not wanted in the middle of a residential area, especially as Tesco had opened up a new supermarket about 10 minutes away a year or so earlier. We were concerned that it would cause noise and nuisance, and that it would be out of keeping with the area and spoil the amenity. The case was supported by the local Chamber of Commerce.

Tesco is planning to replace its existing store with a larger store twice the size, with 535 car parking spaces, on the outskirts of Helston. In July 2008 Kerrier District Council rejected the proposals amidst fears about the impact on local businesses in the town - see coverage in the Falmouth Packet from 16th July 2008.

In 2008 Sainsbury's also submitted plans for a new store in Helston, and Tesco re-submitted it's application. Both applications were approved by Kerrier Council's planners at the end of 2008 but were called-in by the Government Office for the West of England because both applications represented a "departure" from planning policies. Sainsbury's aims to start construction in early 2010. Please see an article in thisiscornwall.co.uk, 22nd April 2009.

In 2006-07 residents and traders ran a campaign against a proposal to build a 3,267 sq m Sainsbury's supermarket in Bishopston, Bristol. There are already 9 supermarkets within a 1.5 mile radius, including a 900 sq m Somerfield supermarket immediately next door to the site. The application was submitted in January 2007 and the public had until September 2007 to raise their objections. The campaign group, BOGOFS, Bishopston Opposing Glut Of Supermarkets,  met with Bristol City Council's Planning Department,  distributed over 6,000 window posters and held regular street stalls, fundraising events and public meetings.

At a meeting on the 28th November 2007 the Sainsbury's scheme was rejected by the Bristol North planning committee by 10 votes to 1. For further information on this decision please see the BBC coverage and hear a webcast of the Planning Committee hearing 

For information please see the informative campaign website and local media coverage of the campaign.

In this case the planning authority dismissed the possibilities of a town-centre site being assembled in favour of an oversized out of town position on the site of a closed factory. North Devon Friends of the Earth group challenged the District Council’s resolution to approve and required them to reconsider the application in the light of PPS6, to consider properly the use of compulsory powers to assemble a site in the town-centre, to reconsider the highway reasons given for not proceedings with the town-centre site, reconsider the question of intensification which was not a material consideration in itself, and give proper weight to urban design and landscaping, which the District Council had exaggerated. The Council then reinstructed their planning consultant, but has refused to release all of the brief which they gave him.

However, in October 2008 the Tesco store opened. North Devon Council reported that Tesco was in breach of the s106 agreement and as a result Tesco submitted a further planning application to vary the conditions attached to its original application. For further information please see an article at thisisnorthdevon.co.uk, 8th October 2008.

In November 2009, the Council served a Planning Contravention Notice (PCN) on Tesco for not comlying with planning conditions. Please see an article in thisisnorthdevon.co.uk, 20th November 2009.

In 2008 a campaign group opposed plans for a new Tesco Express on Bathwick Street. The plans were refused by the local council twice, but were then approved by central government. However, the planning inspector approving the plans did recognise that the development would have an adverse impact on road safety, and imposed a planning condition requiring Tesco to make safe the surrounding roads.

On the 5th March 2008 Bath and North East Somerset Council rejected an application by Tesco to open the store before the surrounding roads are made safe.

The site is next door to an independent grocery store that has been there for 20 years. The campaign group organised a well-attended community meeting on the 7th January 2008, and successfully objected to an attempt by Tesco to extend the store's liquor licensing hours beyond its opening hours

For further information on the campaign, please contact claire.emba@gmail.com.  Please also see article in the Bath Chronicle, 3rd January 2008. 

Residents and shop owners in Weston-super-Mare have started a campaign "Stop Tesco in Weston" to stop the building of a Tesco store in Whitecross Road. An application was submitted to North Somerset District Council to change the use of Whitecross Garage so it could become a Tesco Express. Local campaigners believe the store would have a serious impact on existing independent shops. Local residents and traders have written objection letters and submitted a petition.

However, in October 2008 North Somersert Council's planning and regulatory committee voted in favour of the development.

In March 2009, the Weston and Somerset Mercury reported that one greengrocer has already shut up shop because of the "threat" of the Tesco Express opening. Stop Tesco in Weston is continuing to meet and has written to Tesco boss, Sir Terry Leahy. Please see an article in the Weston and Somerset Mercury, 4th August 2009.

In October 2009 Tesco applied to change planning conditions to the store before it has even opened. It wants longer opening hours, Sunday and bank holiday deliveries and a shop front cash machine. Planning officers will decide on the applications in December. Please see an article in the Weston and Somerset Mercury, 30th October 2009.