Tesco plans for Ecclesall Road South rejected

Date: 24/09/2012. Story submitted by: Gael Stigant

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Plans for a Tesco Express on Ecclesall Road South have been rejected at a council planning meeting.

Councillors voted unanimously against the proposals because of the extra noise and traffic it would create in the area.

Members went on a visit to the site, at 335-337 Ecclesall Road South, last Thursday.

At the meeting on Monday afternoon, Coun Diana Stimely said: “When we went and had a look we were very concerned about where (customers) were going to park and they may have to back out onto the road. I’m not a driver myself but it seemed that could happen.

“It’s a site that when you look at it, it would lend itself to residential flats rather than something that will bring so much traffic to that very small area.”

Coun Tony Downing added: “We had a look at the traffic flow which was quite busy at that time of the day, in late morning, and so looking at the proposed site we do feel that something needs to be done with it, but maybe something other than a supermarket.”

Local resident of 20 years Martin Severn, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of a number of neighbours on Parkhead Court, said: “The strength of feeling is demonstrated by the opposition to this proposal – there were 3,000 names on a petition and more than 150 letters of objection submitted.”

He added that locals would not only be disturbed by the extra noise during the opening hours of 7am to 11pm – they would also see an increase in noise at other times due to people visiting the proposed cash machine 24 hours a day.

Planning consultant Michelle Bath, who attended the meeting on behalf of Tesco, said: “We are aware there’s a large number of objections to the proposal but this is a former commercial site on a busy main road and there are similar premises in the vicinity. We believe any adverse impact on neighbouring properties can be resolved.”

She also said that parking problems would be minimal as the average customer to a Tesco express store only parks for five to eight minutes.

Coun Roger Davison, Lib Dem councillor for Ecclesall said: "It was clear from the start that this site was unsuitable for a supermarket development and a message has been sent to Tesco that this site should now be off their agenda."

Additional info

Address: Ecclesall Road South Sheffield S11 9PS

Tags: Tesco, Ecclesall Road South, planning meeting, rejected