This page is a round up of some of the planning decisions that have gone against supermarkets, or other occasions in which local communities have achieved major campaign victories. For more detailed information on the arguments used in decisions against supermarkets, please see Tescopoly's guide to decision notices.

2010

Whitby, North Yorkshire

July 2010 - Councillors backed the planning officers' recommendations and rejected the Tesco plans, by 11 votes to two. They approved the Co-op extension and the Sainsbury's application, subject to 25 conditions. Please see an article in the Northern Echo, 29th July 2010.

Ashton Gate, Bristol
July 2010 - Bristol City Councillors refused Sainsbury's permission to relocate it's Winterstoke Road store to Ashton Gate.

Halesworth, Suffolk July 2010 - a Planning Inspector dismissed an appeal by Tesco and refused permission for the store. Read the Appeal Decision here. Tesco lodged an appeal against Waveney District Council because it felt it had failed to make a decision on the application months after the application was submitted. For further information please see the campaign case study.

Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire
July 2010 - Tesco withdrew its plans for a 1,440 sqm store at the rear of existing shops on Teme Street in Tenbury Wells following Malvern District Council's decision to turn down it's application to demolish the Russell Baldwin & Bright building as they decided demolition would harm Tenbury Wells Conservation Area.

Alton, Hampshire
July 2010 - following a public inquiry a Planning Inspector dismissed Tesco's appeal highlighting 3 key issues -
1. Whether the edge of town proposal would cause significant harm to the
vitality and viability of the town centre;
2. Whether it is likely to provide an adequate choice of transport, or
increase reliance on the use of the motor car; and
3. Whether the resulting use of the highway network would have detrimental
effect on highway safety and the free flow of traffic.
Read the full appeal decision here and the campaign case study here.

Douglas, Isle of Man
July 2010 - plans to extend the Tesco store in Lake Road, Douglas have been rejected by the Manx Council of Ministers. The Council agreed with an independent planning inspector following a public inquiry and rejected the extension on increased traffic grounds. A copy of the letter to parties explaining the Council of Ministers’ decision, a summary of the inspector’s conclusions, and his full report can all be found on the Isle of Man Government website at www.gov.im/cso/ministers.

Machynlleth, Powys
June 2010 - on 22nd June the Welsh Assembly ruled that Tesco's planning application  for a store in  Machynlleth should be refused on safety grounds. The Welsh Assembly Government has directed Powys County Council to refuse the plans as it would lead to more road accidents. Tesco has now withdrawn their current application but has said it will resubmit a new application at a later date. Please see an article in the Cambrian News, 22nd June 2010.

Walkley, Sheffield
June 2010- Tesco's appeal against a decision to refuse its plans for a single storey convenience store was rejected on on grounds of road safety, parking concerns and lack of any need for such a store. Planning Inspector Wildsmith also made reference to the effect on the local economy of a further chain store being sited in the Walkley Commonside area. Read the appeal decision.

Ballyclare, Northern Ireland
June 2010 - on the 24th June 2010 the Planning Service for Northern Ireland recommended the application for a superstore on the outskirts of Ballyclare be refused.

Manningtree, Essex

May 2010 - Councillors refused Tesco's plans for a supermarket in Manningtree because 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 and the campaign case study.

Tattershall, Lincolnshire April 2010  -East Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee refused an application for a new store from Tesco. The application was refused after the committee heard objections about how the application would see the number of car parking spaces in the Market Place reduce from 13 to just five, and the negative effect this would have on other businesses in this area. However, in June Tesco launched an appeal into the decision to refuse plans. Leek, Staffordshire April 2010 - Tesco plans  to redevelop the Adams Food Ingredients plant, in Prince Street, and the adjacent former Tattons Mill, in Buxton Road and build a 47,189 sq ft store, a petrol station, offices, and a children's after-school club were rejected by Staffordshire Moorlands District Councillors on 15th April. Reasons for refusal included concerns that the proposed store would draw trade away from the town centre and could lead to an increase in the number of empty shops. Planners maintained that Tesco had not fully explored alternative town centre locations.

Milngavie, Scotland April 2010 -  East Dunbartonshire councillors unanimously voted to refuse the application for a new two-floor store on an existing Tesco car park and a new two-storey car park on the site of the present shop. Reasons for refusal included concerns about the size and scale of the store being proposed and impact on amenities, concerns it would be out of character with the surrounding area, the future viability of Milngavie and Bearsden town centres, and the increase in traffic and air pollution. Dorridge, West Midlands March 2010 - Solihull Council's planning committee rejected plans for a new Sainsbury's supermarket in the 1960's Forest Court precinct in Dorridge. The committee unanimously ruled out the design and scale as threatening to the “village” atmosphere. For further information please see an article in the Birmingham Mail, 12th March 2010.

Sheringham, Norfolk
March 2010- Tesco proposals were rejected for a third time by North Norfolk District Council. Instead Councillors approved plans for a Waitrose supermarket.This campaign is a long-standing one, please see the local campaign case study and the Save Our Sheringham website for more information.

Padiham, Lancashire
March 2010 - the Development Control committee rejected the plans for a 30,000 sq ft Tesco store by 6-2 votes traffic grounds and on the impact to other traders in the town centre.  For further information please see an article in the Burnley Citizen, 6th March 2010.

Hornchurch, Essex
February 2010 - plans by Tesco for an Express store on Butts Green Road were 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

Sandiacre, Nottinghamshire
February 2010 - Tesco withdrew its application. The planning officer's report was published and recommended the application for the new 24 hour, 4,000 sq m store was refused. On the 16th February Tesco withdrew its application.

Ashtead, Surrey
February 2010- Mole Valley refused a second application from Tesco.  In November 2009 Tesco submitted an application for a slightly smaller store but this was refused in February 2010. Tesco has launched an appeal and a public inquiry started on 20th July 2010. Please see the campaign case study for more information.

Woodside Green, Croydon

January 2010 - Croydon Council turned down an application from Asprey Homes to demolish The Beehive Pub and replace it with a retail unit. 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.

2009 

Louth, Lincolnshire

December 2009 - East Lindsey District Council rejected Sainsbury's plans for a new 20,054 sq ft store on the grounds of flood risk and impact on the town centre. Please see an article in the Louth Leader, 18th December 2009.

Hanham, Bristol

December 2009 - South Gloucestershire Council's development control committee turned down the application for a 28,000 sq ft store and 230 car parking spaces on the former Kleeneze site. Please see an article at thisisbristol.co.uk, 11th December 2009. Local media has reported that Tesco is considering an appeal against the planning refusal.

Kirkby, Merseyside

November 2009 - Secretary of State John Denham upheld the planning inspectorate's decision to refuse permission to Everton Football Club and Tesco to build a new stadium and retail park in Kirkby. For further information please see the campaign case study.

Layton, Blackpool

November 2009 - Blackpool Council's development control committee voted unanimously to reject the application for a new 10,000 sq ft store on the site of the Windmill pub. Officers recommended the application be turned down as it would be damaging to nearby shops and go against policies aimed at protecting district shopping centres, stating that there was "no overriding need for the Tesco store in this location".

Banbridge, Northern Ireland

November 2009 - the Environment Minister announced that he supported the Planning Appeals Commission ruling that the 130,000 sq ft store should be turned down as it would have a potential ruinous impact on Banbridge town centre.

Ilkley, Yorkshire

August 2009 - Keighley Area planning panel unanimously rejected the plans for the supermarket on the grounds of the inappropriate design and materials, highways impact on residents’ amenity and said it was unacceptable in an out-of-centre location, contrary to the council’s retail strategy. However, planning officers ruled they could not cite road safety dangers as a reason to refuse the plan, as Tesco had offered to fund various highway works. Please see an article in the Ilkley Gazette, 4th August 2009 and the campaign case study. In 2010 Tesco launched an appeal and a public inquiry started on the 7th July 2010.

Alton, Hampshire

July 2009 - East Hampshire District Councillors rejected Tesco's application to build a 3,500 sq m store on the edge of Alton, approx 1.5 miles from the centre. The planning officer recommended refusal and in July 2009 Councillors turned down the application on the grounds that the development would create traffic problems and draw people away from shopping in Alton Town Centre. Read the decision notice here.

Bovingdon, Hertfordshire

June 2009 - Dacorum Development Control Committee unanimously rejected Tesco's application for an Express store on the site of Bovingdon Service Station. The application was rejected on reasons of scale, mass, design, and size.  Please see an article in the Watford Observer 13th June 2009. However, Tesco appealed the decision and a public inquiry was held in November 2009. In January 2010, the Planning Inspectorate gave Tesco the green light to go ahead and build.

Port Talbot, Wales

June 2009- planning committee refused Tesco's application to shut its existing store and build three smaller stores, one of which would be a Tesco Express. The Council report said "the proposed site of the larger supermarket was away from the town centre, with "poor" pedestrian links and one of the "most significant impacts" would be a reduction in shoppers on foot. This would have a significant effect on the trading character of the town centre, which would result in a detrimental impact upon its vitality and viability." For further information please see an article at BBC news, 10th June 2009. 

Parkhead, Sheffield

June 2009 - the planning committee refused the application for a Tesco Express store on the site of the old Parkhead garage in Ecclesall Road South on the grounds that the proposed building was too big for the site. Please see an article in the Star, 9th June 2009 and the Planning Officer's report -Area Board Report (1).pdf

Bridlington, East Riding

June 2009 -   the planning inspector refused an appeal by Esso for a Tesco Express store saying the plans would increase traffic at the site and that "given the scale of the store and its predicted turnover, the entire High Street trade in convenience goods would be in jeopardy." He said the plans for a Tesco Express store did not meet a retail need and would be an inappropriate retail development in an out of centre location likely to affect the area around High Street. Please see the campaign case study for more information.

Tavistock, Devon

May 2009 - the Planning Inspectorate rejected Sainsbury's appeal. In October 2008 planning permission for a new store and petrol station 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 but the appeal was dismissed in May 2009.

Middlewich, Cheshire

May 2009 - Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning committee formally rejected Tesco's plans for a new 20,000 sq m store, ruling that Tesco’s proposal would have an ‘unacceptable impact’ on the Middlewich conservation area and that it would adversely affect the habitat of bats. They also had reservations about the size and design. Please see the local campaign case study for further information.

Tolworth

April 2009 - Tesco withdrew plans for a store in Tolworth for the second time. It first withdrew plans in 2007 but then submitted a new proposal in November 2008.  For further information, please see the campaign case study.

Marston Road, Oxford

April 2009 - Planning Committee refused the application for Tesco Express store on site of Friar pub.

Sunninghill, Berkshire

March 2009 - the Planning Inspectorate rejected Tesco's appeal saying "the living conditions of homeowners living near the proposed School Road scheme would suffer if it went ahead and there were traffic issues to be considered". For more information please see the local campaign case study.

Harefield, Hillingdon

March 2009 - Hillingdon Council turned down plans for an Express store at the Kings Arms site, Breakspear Road North for a second time. Hillingdon Council again turned down the plans on traffic and access issues. For more information please see the local campaign case study.

Newcastle

February 2009 - Newcastle City Council's Development Control Committee refused planning permission. The Committee rejected the applications as they were considered to be fundamentally flawed and ill thought out in terms of timing, size and design. Councillors agreed with the planner’s recommendation that the proposal would negatively impact on the local environment, the heritage and character of the area, residents, shops and business in the West End of Newcastle. Please see the local campaign case study for further information.

Croxley Green

February 2009 -Three Rivers District Council unanimously rejected plans for an Express store on the site of an old car showroom for the fourth time. The Council ruled that the development would damage the appearance of the street scene, cause traffic congestion, and prove too cramped for residents' peace and comfort. However, Tesco appealed the decision and a public inquiry took place in September 2009. In October the Planning Inspector overruled the Council's decision and gave Tesco permission to build. Please see the campaign case study.

February 2009 - planning committee councillors voted overwhelmingly against Tesco's proposals to redevelop its largest store in Hull. It had wanted to demolish the existing building and replace it with a new first-floor store similar in size to the Tesco Extra at the St Stephen's centre, with car parking below. 

Honiton, Devon

January 2009- Planning Inspector dismisses Tesco's appeal, ruling that a new larger store to replace the existing store would destroy town centre shops. Parking and loss of industrial land for employ,ment were also grounds for dismissing the appeal. To view the appeal decision please go to http://www.seaton.gb.net/docs/APPEAL%20DECISION.pdf.  Please see the local campaign case study.

2008

Frinton, Essex December 2008 - Tendring District Council planning committee unanimously rejected the application as it was contrary to planning policy and concerns about access to the site.

Sheringham, North Norfolk

September 2008 - Tesco proposals are rejected by a Planning Inspector after an ongoing campaign. The Inspector upheld the decision against the store by North Norfolk District Council on the basis that it would harm the vitality, viability and retail function of the town. For further information on the long-standing campaign, please see the local campaign case study and the Save Our Sheringham website. In 2009, Tesco submitted a new application which was turned down again by the North Norfolk District Council Planning Committee in March 2010.

Andover, Hampshire

September 2008 - Tesco distribution centre plans rejected. Campaigners celebrated when Test Valley Borough Council rejected Tesco's proposals for what would be its largest distribution centre in Europe. For further information, please see the local campaign case study and the Stop Megasheds website.

St Albans, Hertfordshire

July 2008 - Tesco's application in St Albans has been rejected. The application was rejected on 1st July by St Albans City and District Council’s Planning Referrals Committee on the basis that a store of that size was unsuitable and would have had a detrimental impact. In Ferbuary 2010 Tesco finally confirmed that it was abandoning plans for a store on this site and instead focusing on moving in to the old Woolworths premises in St Albans. For further information see the website of local campaign group St Albans Stop Tesco Group (SAST), and the campaign case study.

Helston, Cornwall

July 2008 - Tesco's plans to double the size of its store have been rejected. Kerrier District Council decided that the plans would have an adverse impact on local businesses in the town. For more information, see the campaign case study.

Sunninghill, Berkshire

June 2008 - Windsor Development Control Panel unanimously rejected proposals for a Tesco Express store in the village of Sunninghill. The Council had received more than 600 letters of objection. For further information, please see the campaign case study.

Dawlish, Devon

May 2008 - Tesco withdrew proposals for a new store on playing fields. For information about the proposals and the opposition to them please see the Dawlish Against Developing Sandy Lane playing fields website.

Poynton, Macclesfield

March 2008 - Campaigners in Poynton celebrated as Macclesfield Borough Council rejected Tesco's plans for a new store. A campaign group Poynton Against Tesco had opposed Tesco's plans for a new 17,000 sq ft store, which were registered in December 2007. For further information, please see the campaign website, an article in the Macclesfield Express on 5th March 2008, and the campaign case study.

Mill Road, Cambridge

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. However, despite not winning planning permission for the extension the store did open in 2009, however, the store has still not been granted a license to sell alcohol. For further information please see the No Mill Road Tesco campaign website, and read the campaign case study.

2007

Harrowgate Hill, Darlington

December 2007 - Councillor's rejected a revised application for a Tesco Express store. Campaigners had secured 521 objection letters and 900 petition signatures to an initial application, and a further 331 objection letters and 500 petition signatures to a revised application submitted in September 2007. The Council judged that the store would lead to a reduction in consumer choice, there was not sufficient need for the store, and that the plans were contrary to guidelines on out of town shopping. For further information about the campaign, please read the campaign case study.

Bishopston, Bristol

November 2007 - plans for a new Sainsbury's supermarket on the Gloucester Rd were rejected. Bristol City Council North Planning Committee voted by 10 votes to 1 at a meeting on the 28th November, 2007 against Sainsbury's plans. For further information, please see the campaign case study.

Harrogate, North Yorkshire

November 2007 - Tesco withdrew its planning application for a store in Harrogate. Harrogate Borough Council were due to consider the application later that month.  For further information please see the campaign case study and local campaign website. In July 2009 Tesco submitted a new application.

Higham's Park, Waltham Forest

June 2007 - plans for a Tesco supermarket were refused by the Secretary of State.Tesco's proposals for a mixed use development including a supermarket were originally approved by Waltham Forest Borough Council, but the Mayor of 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. However in September 2008 Tesco submitted new plans and in October 2009 Councillors voted 5-4 to approve the application. For further information, please read more about the campaign.

Finchley

April 2007 - Tesco plans for Express store refused by Planning Inspectorate. The plans had been refused by Barnet Council in December 2005, and were the subject of an inquiry in January 2007 after Tesco appealed. The Planning Inspectorate ruled against the store because of the impact it would have on the vitality and viability of local town centres and because it judged there was not enough need for the store. For further information, please read more about the campaign and see local media coverage.

Yiewsley

March 2007 - Tesco plans for a store refused by Planning Inspectorate. The London Borough of Hillingdon  refused the application in October 2005 following which Tesco appealed. A planning inquiry took place in January 2007 with the involvement of local campaigners. In April the Inspector decided against the application. For further information, please read more about the campaign. However, the Council finally approved a revised application from Tesco in September 2009.

Inverness

March 2007 - Tesco plans rejected. On 13th March the Planning Committee voted to refuse an application for Tesco's fourth Tesco in Inverness. The planning officers had recommended the plans for refusal. For more information please read more about the campaign.

Guisborough, South Tees

February 2007 - Tesco has withdrawn plans for a 30,000 square foot store in Guisborough. More than 1000 local people had objected to the plans during a period of public consultation. For more information please read more about the campaign.

2006

Great Torrington, Devon

December 2006 - Torridge District Council has refused Tesco's application for a store on playing fields. Local campaigners celebrated the decision. For more information see the Council's website and an article in the Sunday Telegraph.

Trafford, Greater Manchester

November 2006 - Tesco's application for a new store on playing fields was refused. A Public Inquiry took place in September 2006, and groups which had been opposing the application took part in the Inquiry. The Planning Inspector's refusal of this application shows how much local campaigners can make a difference. The Inspector used evidence gathered by the local group to show how much impact the store might have on local shops. According to a local shopkeeper and campaigner, "contrary to how we often feel, there is a real opportunity to make our voices heard in these cases. I feel we have been listened to and we have made a difference and it's a process definitely worth getting involved with, even though it does seem a bit daunting."

Bridgnorth, Shropshire

October 2006 - The Council abandoned a land agreement with Tesco. This agreement, signed in 2003, has prevented alternative development options for the town, despite Tesco's application being quashed by the High Court in 2005. Tesco reapplied in 2006, and campaigners launched Bridgnorth Against a Second Supermarket. The application was refused in July 2006 and the land agreement abandoned in October 2006. For further information please read more on the campaign.

Darlington

October 2006 - Darlington Borough Council cancelled plans with Tesco for a redevelopment of the town centre. The plans would have included Tesco building a store on the site of the current Town Hall and building a replacement Town Hall. A consultation exercise carried out by the Council emphatically illustrated that the community did not want this development, and a strong Say No to Tesco campaign was started by traders and residents.

Ruthin, Denbighshire

Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset

Worthing

Dartford

Queen's Market

Holmbush, Sussex

Campaigners in Holmbush were successful in achieving a 20% rate reduction for  businesses in the town that appealed, following a trade impact survey which generated over 100 rateable value appeals from local businesses. For further information, please read more about the campaign in Holmbush.

Newington Green