Dear Mr Kissman,
I see from the Tesco leaflet posted through my door that you are the contact for residents seeking further information regarding the proposed development on the Evershed's site in St Albans. Having seen the artist's impression, I am shocked and appalled at a plan that appears to include the demolition of a number of attractive Victorian buildings that surround my house and the construction of a car park literally yards away from our front door.
Keen to start a family in a quiet residential area, my fiancée and I moved to Inkerman Road last October – having been particularly keen to get away from London largely due to the high levels of light, noise and air pollution that was beginning to damage our health causing us increasing stress. We were therefore happy to pay a premium price for the property, owing to its location at the end of a quiet, secluded Victorian street.
Quite apart from the pollution, we do not want the character of the area ruined by the arrival of a new supermarket the area does not need; any Tesco should quite clearly be built further out of town.
We anticipated there may be some changes to the Evershed's site, but felt reassured by the fact that we are enclosed in a conservation area protected by a local council who are – we are told – keen to protect the character and heritage of the town. Although I understood that Tesco owned residential housing on Alma and London Road, I was horrified to learn that this extended to the Victorian housing on our road.
Furthermore, looking at the plans it appears that the houses opposite our front door are to be demolished to make way for the car park, in addition to a number of properties at the end of our terrace.
We strongly object to the building of a Tesco that is clearly not needed in the area - owing to its distance from the town centre, its close proximity to the station, the abundance of other supermarkets, the already very heavy traffic on London Road and the effects that this may have upon the conservation area in which we live.
It is an insult that the leaflet that notifying us of the plans did not come through our letterbox until after the exhibition in the Town Hall had been taken down. We have not met one local resident who is in favour of a development of this sort; is this why you appear to have not made any effort to consult us before now? I cannot imagine that you have any idea the distress your company has caused us - and presumably other residents - when circulating a leaflet that seems to propose the demolition of a number of houses that surround our homes, and proposes a carpark on our doorstep which will surely result in significant rise in pollution.
I would be keen to learn how Tesco could build a store in keeping with the character of the community, as you propose in your literature, and if, as I suspect, Tesco own much of the property that surrounds my house, then please let us know what plans you have for it. Please also let us know where we can find out more information about the effects that pollution will have on residents living this close to a major supermarket.
I have taken the liberty of copying in St Albans Council's Director of Planning, so the council are aware of our concerns. I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Matt Phillips
Inkerman Road
Below is a photo, taken by Mr. Phillips through the window of his home, showing a few of the Victorian houses that will be demolished and replaced by a carpark:
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