Tesco's 100 jobs plan thrown out

CONTROVERSIAL plans to extend a supermarket and create up to 100 new jobs have been thrown out.

Proposals to expand Tesco in Congleton by building a mezzanine floor in the existing store were refused by councillors at last night's Congleton Borough Council planning committee meeting.

The Barn Road branch had been given permission to carry out a ground floor extension early last year. Plans for the mezzanine floor were initially submitted in May, but Tesco withdrew the application after planning officers recommended the application for refusal.

In July, the supermarket chain carried out a public consultation to gauge shoppers' views and re-submitted the application in November.

It said the new level would stock non-food items such as clothes, electrical items, CDs, DVDs and books. But concerns were raised over the impact the extension would have on other stores in the town centre.

People were also worried about traffic congestion in Barn Road.

A planning officer's report said: "It is considered that the Tesco proposal could deter investment in the town centre, which would be contrary to the overall spatial planning strategy for the area.

"It is also considered that the proposal could potentially divert much greater levels of trade from the town centre than suggested by the applicants in their assessment."

If the store expansion had been given the go-ahead, it would have increased the number of full-time employees from 146 to 218 and part-time staff from 79 to 117, making Tesco one of the biggest employers in Congleton.

Congleton town councillor Louise Beard told planning committee members: "The town council carried out its own consultation which received 17 letters of objection from local residents and businesses.

"Concerns were raised over the impact the store expansion would have on the existing town centre and the effect on future development.

"The town council also doubted that the proposals would 'claw back' trade lost from other areas, as suggested by Tesco."

Councillor James Law added: "This proposal is unnecessary and should be refused on the grounds it could affect future development plans."

Multi-million pound plans are currently in the pipeline to transform the Bridestones shopping area of Congleton.

Developer Modus wants to build a new market square with an indoor and outdoor market, as well as a new supermarket, shops, restaurants and apartments. A planning application is expected to be submitted in the next few months.