10:00am Saturday 6th March 2010
By Tyrone Marshall
PLANS to open a new Tesco store in Padiham have been thrown out by the council following huge opposition from residents and traders.
The Wyre Street store was rejected by councillors on the development control committee on Thursday, despite being recommended for approval.
Planning experts told councillors they were likely to face an appeal if they rejected the scheme, potentially costing the council £50,000.
Local groups, traders and residents spoke out against the plans at the meeting, as well as around 900 letters and signatures being submitted.
Mark Jinkinson, a Padiham town councillor and businessman, said: “I am extremely pleased by the decision, common sense ruled the day.
“Despite pressure from the planning officers to accept the proposal, councillors recognised that the arguments were flawed.
“The impact in terms of traffic and the economic impact on the town would be quite devastating, which is what we were telling them all along.
“This is not the end of the story though, I am reasonably confident Tesco will appeal but believe the right decision will be made.”
The plans were rejected on traffic grounds and on the impact to other traders in the town centre.
Matt Magee, corporate affairs manager at Tesco, said: “It is natural we are extremely disappointed by the decision, especially as it was recommended for approval.
“We know that people are travelling outside of Padiham to do their big shop and this is why we had strong support for our scheme which we believe would have brought more people in the town as well, benefitting the traders.
“We will now take stock and consider our options.”
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