As well as visiting the council website to comment on the 'Core Strategy Issues and Options Consultation' the council is undertaking (it suggests three possible locations for a new supermarket - and is a bit down on the proposed Tesco site!), there are other ways you can take part...
1) Download a form here and email it to LDFconsultation@stalbans.gov.uk
2) Call 01727 866100 Ext 2736 and ask for a consultation form
3) Write to: Core Strategy Consultation, Planning Policy Team, St Albans City and District Council, Civic Centre, St Peter's Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE.
The deadline for submitting comments on the Core Strategy Issues and Options Consultation Paper is Monday 10th September 2007. Please remember to look at section 10-110!
Saturday 28 July 2007
Thursday 26 July 2007
Violent Crime Reduction Manager Takes Umbrage
Further to our suggestion below that the police in St Albans might be interested in stories of a couple of Tesco stores selling alcohol to underage people, Convenience Store reports today that local people might end up paying the legal costs of imposing a ban on Tesco in West Sussex. The magazine reports Tesco withdrawing its objection to a ban the day before the case was to be held in court.
Sussex Police violent crime reduction manager Jean Irving told the magazine,
"Everyone is entitled to a fair hearing, but I take umbrage at the fact that Tesco pursued its objection to the ban until the last minute, then backed down. Crawley Borough Council has had to spend a lot of money to fight the appeal and that comes out of public funds. So who pays for that? The local people."
Sussex Police violent crime reduction manager Jean Irving told the magazine,
"Everyone is entitled to a fair hearing, but I take umbrage at the fact that Tesco pursued its objection to the ban until the last minute, then backed down. Crawley Borough Council has had to spend a lot of money to fight the appeal and that comes out of public funds. So who pays for that? The local people."
Tesco Tries To Spin Local People
In the interests of openness we print below Tesco's latest press release about its revised scheme - oh, with some comments in red. If you'd like to download your own copy of this, please visit www.tescostalbans.co.uk - where you can also keep in touch with Tesco's new plans - as and when it releases them...
"We've listened" (but did you hear what was being said?): Tesco revises scheme to keep Alma Road houses
Following detailed community consultation (see our scepticism about this below!), Tesco has this week indicated that it has revised its proposals for the redevelopment of the Eversheds site, on London Road. Tesco has made a number of changes and improvements to its plans. Full details will be shared with the community for further consultation in the near future. Tesco today said that the two main changes are:
• the locally listed buildings on Alma Road, previously to be demolished, will now be left as they are; (not doing something unpopular isn't really worth giving too much credit for, but we're sure that the people who live there will be happy that Tesco as landlord isn't going to throw them out and might actually invest some money in repairs now!)
• the store has been redesigned and will be significantly smaller. (as Ian Langford points out in his excellent letter today in the Herts Advertiser here, it was quite predictable that Tesco would start with a massive scheme and then revise it down - the new store is still pretty big though and doesn't in any way meet the needs of local people for housing and a school - in fact the amount of proposed housing looks like it will be reduced!)
Full details of the revised scheme will be released shortly, following further discussions with St Albans District Council. (then why issue this press release now, if not just to get some positive coverage?)
Speaking on the changes, Corporate Affairs Manager Michael Kissman said:
"After conducting in depth consultation, we have reviewed the comments we've received about the scheme. Among a number of issues raised, there was particularly strong feeling about the Alma Road properties (actually, the number one issue we found from local people is traffic - which hasn't been addressed yet by Tesco - but we are aware that the council planning officers were very unhappy about the idea of knocking listed houses down!), and we’ve taken this on board. In response, we've re-worked the scheme to keep them.
"The new proposals will have a number of changes, not just keeping the locally listed houses on Alma Road. To keep these houses, we've redesigned the proposed store, which will be significantly smaller than previously proposed.
"We are still speaking to the Council about our latest plans. (hopefully with one eye on the Information and Options document which suggests that there are already too many supermarkets to the South of St Albans?) Once these discussions have happened, we will be in a position to go back to the public with full details on the revised scheme for further comment."
Tesco consulted on the scheme earlier in 2007, holding a public exhibition, as well as meeting with local residents and interest groups (see our comments below about the people it met!). Considerable work has been underway since comments were received. Tesco intends to come forward with the revised scheme within the next few weeks. (after 7 and a half years, what is another 'few weeks' of uncertainty for local people - as we've pointed out before, every part of the London Road area has developed well over the past few years, except for the Tesco land (and the Odeon site of course!))
Other comments in the consultation confirmed that there is appetite (how big?) for a local, full service supermarket within 10 minutes' walk of the main City Centre shops. Support was particularly strong from those without private transport. (we'd be very interested in hearing about what form this support took - the council reports that 75% of representations it has received were against the store, and local politicians say 90%+ of local people are against it. We're also not surprised that people with cars are very much against this - they are the ones who would be stuck in their roads and drives!)
Mr Kissman further stated:
"The scheme we took to consultation in January was in draft and we were pleased to get so much feedback on it. Since then, a vast amount of work has been done to review the proposals in light of these comments. It's a complex scheme, so this has been time-consuming. We would have liked to have come back with revised plans sooner, but it's more important to get the proposals right." (as we've said before, we have no idea what consultation Tesco undertook between February and June - no-one seems to recall meeting them over this time!)
Notes to editors
1. The consultation included:
a. public exhibition
b. leaflets to neighbouring homes
c. website (which didn't let people send their views through on at least two important occasions - here recently and here at the very start of the consultation!)
d. newspaper adverts
e. elected representatives, in Parliament and in the Council (all Parliamentary prospective candidates, our MP and all local councillors oppose the development - so this presumably didn't help!)
f. liaison with residents groups and individual residents (when we met Michael Kissman a couple of weeks ago, we were the only local residents group he'd met - and we aren't in favour)
g. local businesses (we know the Chamber of Commerce President has been persuaded in favour, but we know that the vast majority of local businesses (83%) are against the development)
h. charities (we're not sure about their relevance, except for one - the Civic Society - which definitely opposes Tesco's plans)
i. police (not sure what their views are, but we expect they'd be interested in this story!)
j. stakeholder groups (vampire-killers?)
"We've listened" (but did you hear what was being said?): Tesco revises scheme to keep Alma Road houses
Following detailed community consultation (see our scepticism about this below!), Tesco has this week indicated that it has revised its proposals for the redevelopment of the Eversheds site, on London Road. Tesco has made a number of changes and improvements to its plans. Full details will be shared with the community for further consultation in the near future. Tesco today said that the two main changes are:
• the locally listed buildings on Alma Road, previously to be demolished, will now be left as they are; (not doing something unpopular isn't really worth giving too much credit for, but we're sure that the people who live there will be happy that Tesco as landlord isn't going to throw them out and might actually invest some money in repairs now!)
• the store has been redesigned and will be significantly smaller. (as Ian Langford points out in his excellent letter today in the Herts Advertiser here, it was quite predictable that Tesco would start with a massive scheme and then revise it down - the new store is still pretty big though and doesn't in any way meet the needs of local people for housing and a school - in fact the amount of proposed housing looks like it will be reduced!)
Full details of the revised scheme will be released shortly, following further discussions with St Albans District Council. (then why issue this press release now, if not just to get some positive coverage?)
Speaking on the changes, Corporate Affairs Manager Michael Kissman said:
"After conducting in depth consultation, we have reviewed the comments we've received about the scheme. Among a number of issues raised, there was particularly strong feeling about the Alma Road properties (actually, the number one issue we found from local people is traffic - which hasn't been addressed yet by Tesco - but we are aware that the council planning officers were very unhappy about the idea of knocking listed houses down!), and we’ve taken this on board. In response, we've re-worked the scheme to keep them.
"The new proposals will have a number of changes, not just keeping the locally listed houses on Alma Road. To keep these houses, we've redesigned the proposed store, which will be significantly smaller than previously proposed.
"We are still speaking to the Council about our latest plans. (hopefully with one eye on the Information and Options document which suggests that there are already too many supermarkets to the South of St Albans?) Once these discussions have happened, we will be in a position to go back to the public with full details on the revised scheme for further comment."
Tesco consulted on the scheme earlier in 2007, holding a public exhibition, as well as meeting with local residents and interest groups (see our comments below about the people it met!). Considerable work has been underway since comments were received. Tesco intends to come forward with the revised scheme within the next few weeks. (after 7 and a half years, what is another 'few weeks' of uncertainty for local people - as we've pointed out before, every part of the London Road area has developed well over the past few years, except for the Tesco land (and the Odeon site of course!))
Other comments in the consultation confirmed that there is appetite (how big?) for a local, full service supermarket within 10 minutes' walk of the main City Centre shops. Support was particularly strong from those without private transport. (we'd be very interested in hearing about what form this support took - the council reports that 75% of representations it has received were against the store, and local politicians say 90%+ of local people are against it. We're also not surprised that people with cars are very much against this - they are the ones who would be stuck in their roads and drives!)
Mr Kissman further stated:
"The scheme we took to consultation in January was in draft and we were pleased to get so much feedback on it. Since then, a vast amount of work has been done to review the proposals in light of these comments. It's a complex scheme, so this has been time-consuming. We would have liked to have come back with revised plans sooner, but it's more important to get the proposals right." (as we've said before, we have no idea what consultation Tesco undertook between February and June - no-one seems to recall meeting them over this time!)
Notes to editors
1. The consultation included:
a. public exhibition
b. leaflets to neighbouring homes
c. website (which didn't let people send their views through on at least two important occasions - here recently and here at the very start of the consultation!)
d. newspaper adverts
e. elected representatives, in Parliament and in the Council (all Parliamentary prospective candidates, our MP and all local councillors oppose the development - so this presumably didn't help!)
f. liaison with residents groups and individual residents (when we met Michael Kissman a couple of weeks ago, we were the only local residents group he'd met - and we aren't in favour)
g. local businesses (we know the Chamber of Commerce President has been persuaded in favour, but we know that the vast majority of local businesses (83%) are against the development)
h. charities (we're not sure about their relevance, except for one - the Civic Society - which definitely opposes Tesco's plans)
i. police (not sure what their views are, but we expect they'd be interested in this story!)
j. stakeholder groups (vampire-killers?)
Wednesday 25 July 2007
Tesco Buys Factory in Non-Retail Area
The Welwyn & Hatfield Times reports that Tesco has bought up a disused factory in Welwyn Garden City. Local council chief planning officer Chris Conway told the paper,
"[The land] is zoned as mixed-use for employment, leisure and housing and not for retail."
What is Tesco going to do with it? Remember Michael Kissman (quoted in the report) told us that,
"we build supermarkets. We are not in the house-building trade. We’re not going to pretend that we will build something else”.
So will Tesco try to change the zoning of the land - or will it just wait a few years for something to change...
"[The land] is zoned as mixed-use for employment, leisure and housing and not for retail."
What is Tesco going to do with it? Remember Michael Kissman (quoted in the report) told us that,
"we build supermarkets. We are not in the house-building trade. We’re not going to pretend that we will build something else”.
So will Tesco try to change the zoning of the land - or will it just wait a few years for something to change...
Tesco Causes Another Protest
Another group of residents are forming against Tesco, according to the East Anglia Daily Times today. Tesco plans to build a store in Manningtree, Britain's smallest town - local people feel that it will cost jobs and create traffic congestion.
We're sure though that Tesco will very soon 'consult' local people and everyone will be happy!
We're sure though that Tesco will very soon 'consult' local people and everyone will be happy!
Monday 23 July 2007
Traffic Problems In Cuffley
The Daily Telegraph reports that Tesco has had to resubmit the planning application for its Cuffley store after its first traffic survey,
"massively underestimated traffic congestion in the village. A subsequent study found that up to five times as much traffic passed through the village than claimed."
Can we trust Tesco to get its traffic survey right in St Albans? We've already got major doubts about some of its assumptions about traffic as shared with local papers!
"massively underestimated traffic congestion in the village. A subsequent study found that up to five times as much traffic passed through the village than claimed."
Can we trust Tesco to get its traffic survey right in St Albans? We've already got major doubts about some of its assumptions about traffic as shared with local papers!
Saturday 21 July 2007
Tesco's New Plans Online
The Stop Tesco website now hosts pictures of Tesco's new plans for the Eversheds site here. The website also gives our reaction to the proposals - we're definitely not impressed!
Friday 20 July 2007
Tesco In Residential Development Shock...
An interesting article in the Daily Telegraph today that Tesco's Michael Kissman might be interested in reading. The article, 'U-turn on Tesco homes plan', reports on Chelsea & Kensington Council's opposition to a Tesco residential development. Remember, Mr Kissman told us a couple of weeks ago...
"we build supermarkets. We are not in the house-building trade."
Are you sure????
"we build supermarkets. We are not in the house-building trade."
Are you sure????
Thursday 19 July 2007
Take Part in Council Consultation
While waiting for Tesco to actually make a planning application, St Albans District Council has been busy planning for the future of the City. Part of its new 'Core Strategy Issues and Options Consultation', available online here, asks local people to comment on the future retail development of the City.
The document is a bit confusing, but from paragraph 10.110 on, the document considers a possible location for a possible 'out-of-centre' new food superstore. The document does question whether one would be suitable for the city, but suggest three options for where one could be built. Option FS1 considers the Eversheds site in London Road, site of the current Tesco proposals. It says,
The report seems to favour two possible sites to the North of the City. Please visit the website and leave your concerns about the proposals. You might want to point out the traffic and pollution issues, your concerns about smaller local retailers and the markets, and the potential to use the site for community use!
The document is a bit confusing, but from paragraph 10.110 on, the document considers a possible location for a possible 'out-of-centre' new food superstore. The document does question whether one would be suitable for the city, but suggest three options for where one could be built. Option FS1 considers the Eversheds site in London Road, site of the current Tesco proposals. It says,
"Accessibility is good, both in terms of proximity to the road network and frequent bus services into and out of the City Centre. However, development of this type could raise traffic issues, in an area that is already heavily congested.
"At present, there are already three supermarkets located to the south or east of the City of St Albans. Consequently, a new store in this location would provide further convenience goods (food) floorspace in an area which is already well served by existing stores, rather than plugging the acknowledged gap in food provision for residents living in the northern part of the City."
The report seems to favour two possible sites to the North of the City. Please visit the website and leave your concerns about the proposals. You might want to point out the traffic and pollution issues, your concerns about smaller local retailers and the markets, and the potential to use the site for community use!
Locals Unconvinced By New Plans!
An article in today's Herts Advertiser gives more information about Tesco's new plans. The new store is apparently smaller and Tesco no longer plans to knock down houses in Alma Road. We'll come back to the apparent size change tomorrow and welcome the news about the houses, but we're not going to change our objection to Tesco's plans!
There's still going to be a massive superstore there, with associated traffic problems and pollution. Tesco's new plan actually removes the one thing present in their first proposal that local people wanted - an element of social housing!
The article goes on to cite St Albans District Council's Planning Portfolio Holder, Chris Brazier as saying,
"The feedback I have had from the consultation so far indicates 75 per cent of people are against the Tesco site while around 25 per cent of residents support it,"
as well as local resident Erica Imrie, who adds,
"the traffic is bad enough at present. It will be horrendous if Tesco comes here and the noise and pollution will make it very unpleasant to live here."
There's still going to be a massive superstore there, with associated traffic problems and pollution. Tesco's new plan actually removes the one thing present in their first proposal that local people wanted - an element of social housing!
The article goes on to cite St Albans District Council's Planning Portfolio Holder, Chris Brazier as saying,
"The feedback I have had from the consultation so far indicates 75 per cent of people are against the Tesco site while around 25 per cent of residents support it,"
as well as local resident Erica Imrie, who adds,
"the traffic is bad enough at present. It will be horrendous if Tesco comes here and the noise and pollution will make it very unpleasant to live here."
Monday 16 July 2007
Tesco Has A New Plan... But It's Still A Supermarket!
We've learned today that Tesco is planning a whole new application and wants to go through the whole consultation process with local people again!
Our problem at first glance is that there is still a large supermarket in the proposal, which will still cause pollution and traffic chaos and not meet the needs of local people - in fact there appears to be even less affordable housing in this one! We'll post more details of the full plan when we get it near a computer, and give you details of how to respond to it!
Our problem at first glance is that there is still a large supermarket in the proposal, which will still cause pollution and traffic chaos and not meet the needs of local people - in fact there appears to be even less affordable housing in this one! We'll post more details of the full plan when we get it near a computer, and give you details of how to respond to it!
Saturday 14 July 2007
Vincent and Gorbing Revealed...
A couple of weeks ago Tesco's Michael Kissman told readers of the St Albans Review of a mysterious report into supermarket needs in St Albans by 'Vincent & Gorbing' - here's the link to our coverage of the article.
Ian Langford from our Planning team has followed up the report - it seems to be a bit of a red herring (can you get those from Tesco?). He contacted the St Albans council planning policy manager with regard the Vincent & Gorbing report and was told that the report,
"has now been "superseded by the GL Hearn report"; "it is well out of date"; "it carries no weight with the planning department" and "reading it would be a waste of time".
For what it's worth, which seems very little, the Vincent & Gorbing report was a retail needs assessment undertaken in November 2000 on the instructions of St Albans council. Its analysis for food shopping requirements concluded that by 2006 a further 1,000 square metres (about 11,000 square feet) of food retail space would be required to serve the needs of the St Albans district (for comparison Tesco want to build a 55,000 square foot store!). It also concluded that there was a need for a large supermarket/superstore in the town centre as there is not one there (the same qualitative deficiency in the town centre as found in the GL Hearn report).
However, since 2001 supermarket space in St Albans has more than increased by 1,000 square metres due to extensions at the existing supermarkets (Waitrose, Sainsbury and Morrisons). Therefore, the report argues that there is NO quantitative need for further supermarket space expansion in St Albans and that there is a need for a supermarket in the town centre (which will not be met by Tesco's edge-of-centre proposal).
Thanks for this Ian - and stand by for more planning news in the next few days!
Ian Langford from our Planning team has followed up the report - it seems to be a bit of a red herring (can you get those from Tesco?). He contacted the St Albans council planning policy manager with regard the Vincent & Gorbing report and was told that the report,
"has now been "superseded by the GL Hearn report"; "it is well out of date"; "it carries no weight with the planning department" and "reading it would be a waste of time".
For what it's worth, which seems very little, the Vincent & Gorbing report was a retail needs assessment undertaken in November 2000 on the instructions of St Albans council. Its analysis for food shopping requirements concluded that by 2006 a further 1,000 square metres (about 11,000 square feet) of food retail space would be required to serve the needs of the St Albans district (for comparison Tesco want to build a 55,000 square foot store!). It also concluded that there was a need for a large supermarket/superstore in the town centre as there is not one there (the same qualitative deficiency in the town centre as found in the GL Hearn report).
However, since 2001 supermarket space in St Albans has more than increased by 1,000 square metres due to extensions at the existing supermarkets (Waitrose, Sainsbury and Morrisons). Therefore, the report argues that there is NO quantitative need for further supermarket space expansion in St Albans and that there is a need for a supermarket in the town centre (which will not be met by Tesco's edge-of-centre proposal).
Thanks for this Ian - and stand by for more planning news in the next few days!
Thursday 12 July 2007
Our Meeting with Tesco is Reported
The Herts Advertiser runs an article today following up on our meeting with Michael Kissman of Tesco. In reply to our statement about the meeting, the paper quotes Mr Kissman as saying,
"While we wouldn't propose the scheme without knowing there is a clear need and support for the development, we also recognise that some residents have concerns.
"We share people's frustration that the planning process can take a long time. Our plans include not only a Tesco supermarket but also new housing, road improvements and other new shops. As a whole they will create hundreds of jobs and regenerate the area. These are exciting but complex plans and we hope that people agree that it's sensible to spend time getting the scheme right rather than rushing in too quickly."
We'd say the following in reply to this...
1. Where is the need for the development? No retail report has ever suggested a supermarket on the Eversheds site, and the local 'clear need' is for housing and a school!
2. Where is the support for the development? Even Mr Kissman has conceded that a majority of local people oppose the store - in an democracy that should be enough (although we are aware that Tesco doesn't really understand the idea of a democratic vote!)
3. 'Some residents have concerns' - I think we'd say that all local residents have concerns!
4. 'The planning process can take a long time' - given that it will be at least 10 years between Tesco buying the land and a supermarket appearing (if permission is given!), planning law can't really be blamed for the delay.
5. 'As a whole, [our plans] will create hundreds of jobs...' - studies show that supermarkets cost local jobs - do we want to trade skilled market traders and local entrepreneurs for part-time student jobs?
6. '....and regenerate the area' - the London Road area with the exception of the land Tesco owns and the former Odeon cinema has 'regenerated' well over time with new housing and shops. Building local housing on the Eversheds site and a solution to the Odeon problem would quickly solve the final areas - the alternative is waiting years for a supermarket to be built, during which time no competing local business is going to open in the area.
7. 'We hope that people agree that it's sensible to spend time getting the scheme right rather than rushing in too quickly' - OK, we agree with this, but we'd like to see more effort from Tesco. For a start the company seems to have done little consultation between February and June (please let us know if they did talk to you) and they don't seem to have made any changes to their January design yet - that's a waste of six months for a start! Local people and local businesses are living under the shadow of uncertainty and we would appreciate Tesco acknowledging that!
"While we wouldn't propose the scheme without knowing there is a clear need and support for the development, we also recognise that some residents have concerns.
"We share people's frustration that the planning process can take a long time. Our plans include not only a Tesco supermarket but also new housing, road improvements and other new shops. As a whole they will create hundreds of jobs and regenerate the area. These are exciting but complex plans and we hope that people agree that it's sensible to spend time getting the scheme right rather than rushing in too quickly."
We'd say the following in reply to this...
1. Where is the need for the development? No retail report has ever suggested a supermarket on the Eversheds site, and the local 'clear need' is for housing and a school!
2. Where is the support for the development? Even Mr Kissman has conceded that a majority of local people oppose the store - in an democracy that should be enough (although we are aware that Tesco doesn't really understand the idea of a democratic vote!)
3. 'Some residents have concerns' - I think we'd say that all local residents have concerns!
4. 'The planning process can take a long time' - given that it will be at least 10 years between Tesco buying the land and a supermarket appearing (if permission is given!), planning law can't really be blamed for the delay.
5. 'As a whole, [our plans] will create hundreds of jobs...' - studies show that supermarkets cost local jobs - do we want to trade skilled market traders and local entrepreneurs for part-time student jobs?
6. '....and regenerate the area' - the London Road area with the exception of the land Tesco owns and the former Odeon cinema has 'regenerated' well over time with new housing and shops. Building local housing on the Eversheds site and a solution to the Odeon problem would quickly solve the final areas - the alternative is waiting years for a supermarket to be built, during which time no competing local business is going to open in the area.
7. 'We hope that people agree that it's sensible to spend time getting the scheme right rather than rushing in too quickly' - OK, we agree with this, but we'd like to see more effort from Tesco. For a start the company seems to have done little consultation between February and June (please let us know if they did talk to you) and they don't seem to have made any changes to their January design yet - that's a waste of six months for a start! Local people and local businesses are living under the shadow of uncertainty and we would appreciate Tesco acknowledging that!
The Impact of Tesco - in 3 Acts
No fewer than three stories from around the country today show how Tesco works...
In the first story, from the South Manchester Report, the devastating impact of Tesco on local shopping is explored in detail. The report shows how the local Co-op, a post office, convenience stores and an independent butcher have been badly affected by a local Tesco - and two stores have now closed. It should remind everyone that while Tesco claims to create jobs, studies show that it costs them!
The second story, from Bromley's News Shopper, is another example of Tesco increasing the size of an existing store, in this case by adding a mezzanine floor. One local councillor was forced by legal advice to approve the change, saying,
"much as I disagree in my heart, the professional advice that I have received is for approval."
This shows how Tesco can act legally but not reflect the wishes of local people.
Today's final story, from Warwick and reported in the Leamington Observer, reports how Tesco has repeatedly put in applications to extend a store, despite strong opposition and fears about the impact on town centre shopping and local traffic. This shows how Tesco will keep pushing for more money, even when local people say clearly that they don't want a larger store - how can we trust its assurances about the London Road site!
In the first story, from the South Manchester Report, the devastating impact of Tesco on local shopping is explored in detail. The report shows how the local Co-op, a post office, convenience stores and an independent butcher have been badly affected by a local Tesco - and two stores have now closed. It should remind everyone that while Tesco claims to create jobs, studies show that it costs them!
The second story, from Bromley's News Shopper, is another example of Tesco increasing the size of an existing store, in this case by adding a mezzanine floor. One local councillor was forced by legal advice to approve the change, saying,
"much as I disagree in my heart, the professional advice that I have received is for approval."
This shows how Tesco can act legally but not reflect the wishes of local people.
Today's final story, from Warwick and reported in the Leamington Observer, reports how Tesco has repeatedly put in applications to extend a store, despite strong opposition and fears about the impact on town centre shopping and local traffic. This shows how Tesco will keep pushing for more money, even when local people say clearly that they don't want a larger store - how can we trust its assurances about the London Road site!
Wednesday 11 July 2007
Dear St Albans Council - Please Buy the Eversheds Site
When we met Tesco's Michael Kissman, he made a sensible point - that if local people wanted to use the Eversheds site for community uses, we should ask the council to compulsorily purchase the land. So, we've taken him up on the idea - the letter below is even now on it's way to the council! If you'd like to write a similar letter, please write to Mr Dean Goodman at the same address! We'll let you know what the council says.
Dean Goodman
Head of Planning
St Albans District Council
Council Offices
Civic Centre
St Peters Street
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 3JE
Re: Compulsory Purchase of Proposed Tesco Site
Dear Mr Goodman,
We are extremely concerned at the possibility of the old Eversheds printing works being developed in a way that adds little or no value to St Albans and the people that live here. The use of the site as a supermarket is not the best use of the land.
The area in question is large and in a fantastic position. It represents a tremendous opportunity for the city and is too valuable to be used for merely another supermarket.
We would strongly urge the council to consider using its powers to compulsorily purchase the land and promote a more sensible and useful development. This could use the existing factory building, and with thought produce a project providing social and family housing, along with school and recreational facilities.
The entire area could be the subject of a master plan that includes the disused cinema building on London Road, the school building on Alma Road and the run down and empty housing currently owned by Tesco. By making use of the available land and existing facilities in a structured way the result could be a real asset to the city and the criticism of St Albans becoming another clone town would be well and truly kicked into touch.
We understand that this course requires vision and courage but have every faith that the council has this at its core and can assure you of massive support from the people of St. Albans. Over 5000 people have signed the petition saying that a supermarket is not the correct option on this site and many people have sent us their ideas on alternative uses. We would be very keen to meet with you to share some of these ideas and discuss the best way to proceed for St. Albans.
Yours sincerely
Mike Dilke
Stop Tesco
Dean Goodman
Head of Planning
St Albans District Council
Council Offices
Civic Centre
St Peters Street
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 3JE
Re: Compulsory Purchase of Proposed Tesco Site
Dear Mr Goodman,
We are extremely concerned at the possibility of the old Eversheds printing works being developed in a way that adds little or no value to St Albans and the people that live here. The use of the site as a supermarket is not the best use of the land.
The area in question is large and in a fantastic position. It represents a tremendous opportunity for the city and is too valuable to be used for merely another supermarket.
We would strongly urge the council to consider using its powers to compulsorily purchase the land and promote a more sensible and useful development. This could use the existing factory building, and with thought produce a project providing social and family housing, along with school and recreational facilities.
The entire area could be the subject of a master plan that includes the disused cinema building on London Road, the school building on Alma Road and the run down and empty housing currently owned by Tesco. By making use of the available land and existing facilities in a structured way the result could be a real asset to the city and the criticism of St Albans becoming another clone town would be well and truly kicked into touch.
We understand that this course requires vision and courage but have every faith that the council has this at its core and can assure you of massive support from the people of St. Albans. Over 5000 people have signed the petition saying that a supermarket is not the correct option on this site and many people have sent us their ideas on alternative uses. We would be very keen to meet with you to share some of these ideas and discuss the best way to proceed for St. Albans.
Yours sincerely
Mike Dilke
Stop Tesco
Tuesday 10 July 2007
Tesco's Alcohol Problems
A couple of Tesco stores have been found guilty of selling alcohol to underage buyers in recent weeks, according to the media. The BBC reported a couple of weeks ago that a Tesco Express store in Worthing was banned from selling alcohol for 28 days from 2nd July. Now the Children Now website reports that in Birmingham another Tesco Express has received a 21 day ban from 12th July for a similar offence.
St Albans has a major underage alcohol problem according to the Herts Advertiser. Maybe this is yet another reason for saying NO to Tesco?
St Albans has a major underage alcohol problem according to the Herts Advertiser. Maybe this is yet another reason for saying NO to Tesco?
Monday 9 July 2007
Supermarket Blues walk a success
On Saturday (July 7th) the St Albans Civic Society organised a walk around the area of the proposed Tesco site. Marion Hammant and Peter Trevelyan gave an informative and well researched history of the local area and pointed out the reasons why appropriate and considerate development is the only sensible way forward on this site.
The large number of people who attended really shows the depth of feeling in the community considering it was a sunny Saturday afternoon when a lot of people would have other commitments. Many thanks to the Civic Society for organising the walk, which will be repeated later in the summer.
The large number of people who attended really shows the depth of feeling in the community considering it was a sunny Saturday afternoon when a lot of people would have other commitments. Many thanks to the Civic Society for organising the walk, which will be repeated later in the summer.
Every Little Queue Helps
The Daily Mail really has it in for Tesco today. As well as the turtle story below, the paper reports a survey that shows Tesco to have the longest queues of any UK supermarket. Funnily enough, small specialist retailers don't seem to figure in the survey at all.
Tesco's 'Turtle Abuse'
The Daily Mail reports Tesco's Chinese stores selling live turtles for home butchering.
Animal welfare group Viva spokesman Justin Kerswell told the paper,
"China has no animal welfare standards of any kind and Tesco are happy to take advantage of that. Obviously every little helps when it comes to profit."
Sunday 8 July 2007
Tesco's Timing Problems
While we've been waiting for over 7 1/2 years for a Tesco planning application and 6 months since it started 'consulting' over plans, Tesco seems to be less patient in Glasgow. Facing a wait of a few months for the local council to make a decision, The Herald reports that Tesco has appealed over the council to the Scottish Executive. The delay is apparently due to an air quality study.
Local protesters from Stop Tesco Owning Partick are not impressed! Spokesman Gordon Bickerton said,
"They [Tesco] think they can just flex their corporate muscle and everyone will jump to their tune. There is a process which has to be gone through and Tesco want to bypass that, which is typical of their arrogance."
The paper also quotes a 'senior source' in the council as saying,
"Tesco haven't helped themselves by presenting the council with the cheapest and nastiest structure they can throw together and delaying in presenting us with a workable proposal."
We in St Albans would just be happy for Tesco to engage with the local planning process, and give local people a chance to put our strong case against!
Local protesters from Stop Tesco Owning Partick are not impressed! Spokesman Gordon Bickerton said,
"They [Tesco] think they can just flex their corporate muscle and everyone will jump to their tune. There is a process which has to be gone through and Tesco want to bypass that, which is typical of their arrogance."
The paper also quotes a 'senior source' in the council as saying,
"Tesco haven't helped themselves by presenting the council with the cheapest and nastiest structure they can throw together and delaying in presenting us with a workable proposal."
We in St Albans would just be happy for Tesco to engage with the local planning process, and give local people a chance to put our strong case against!
Download Our Objections
The presentation Stop Tesco gave to Tesco at our meeting last week is now available for download here. It summarises our objections to the proposed development and our ideas for alternative use of the site.
Tesco Annoys More Local People
In Cannock, Tesco has annoyed local people by refusing to listen to and act on their concerns about traffic, according to the Express and Star. Local councillors asked Tesco to add an extra exit to a store but this has not been acted on. Parish councillor Bob Todd told the paper,
“[Tesco's solution] will be no relief whatsoever. The problem will still remain if cars are still queuing to get out.... they haven’t addressed any of our concerns and are taking us for fools."
Yet another example of Tesco not listening to local people - this sort of attitude will eventually rebound on the company's reputation!
“[Tesco's solution] will be no relief whatsoever. The problem will still remain if cars are still queuing to get out.... they haven’t addressed any of our concerns and are taking us for fools."
Yet another example of Tesco not listening to local people - this sort of attitude will eventually rebound on the company's reputation!
Friday 6 July 2007
The Man from Tesco, He Say 'No'
Here's the feedback from our meeting with Michael Kissman and Jo Richards, representing Tesco, on Tuesday. Thanks to the 26 people who sent us questions for him - we're expecting those back soon and will let you have the answers.
THE MAN FROM TESCO SAYS ‘NO’ TO 5,000 PEOPLE FROM ST ALBANS
The St Albans Stop Tesco group met with Michael Kissman, Tesco Corporate Development Manager, on Tuesday 3rd July. During the meeting, Mr Kissman dashed the hopes of over 5,000 local residents and hundreds of local businesses by insisting that Tesco would build another supermarket in the City on London Road.
Mr Kissman offered to listen to concerns about the site but showed Tesco’s indifference to the real feelings of the thousands of local people who are against any supermarket development when he said,
Stop Tesco pointed out that property developers do not approach people who have expressed a desire to build on land, they buy land that is up for sale! Stop Tesco will also be writing to the council to ask them to purchase the land for community use including social and family housing and a primary school.
The meeting also covered the following issues:
Mike Dilke of Stop Tesco says,
THE MAN FROM TESCO SAYS ‘NO’ TO 5,000 PEOPLE FROM ST ALBANS
The St Albans Stop Tesco group met with Michael Kissman, Tesco Corporate Development Manager, on Tuesday 3rd July. During the meeting, Mr Kissman dashed the hopes of over 5,000 local residents and hundreds of local businesses by insisting that Tesco would build another supermarket in the City on London Road.
Mr Kissman offered to listen to concerns about the site but showed Tesco’s indifference to the real feelings of the thousands of local people who are against any supermarket development when he said,
"we build supermarkets. We are not in the house-building trade. We’re not going to pretend that we will build something else”.When confronted with a list of the needs of the City, Mr Kissman said that local people needed to talk to the council, not Tesco, about them. He also claimed that because no one else had offered to buy the land, and St Albans District Council had not compulsorily purchased it, there was no demand for an alternative use.
Stop Tesco pointed out that property developers do not approach people who have expressed a desire to build on land, they buy land that is up for sale! Stop Tesco will also be writing to the council to ask them to purchase the land for community use including social and family housing and a primary school.
The meeting also covered the following issues:
- Tesco expects to put its planning application in during the next ‘two or three’ months. Tesco blames the slow progress of its application on the complexity of the planning process and would not commit to a timetable for action.
- Even if planning permission were speedily obtained Tesco admitted that it would take several years before the store was open.
- Tesco admitted that it is sensitive about its reputation and had made mistakes in the past, for example in Stockport, where a store was built 20% larger than planning permission granted the company.
- Tesco has consulted local police and the Chamber of Commerce among other organisations, but had not spoken to any residents group before this meeting in six months of consultation. It has now agreed to meet with the Telford Court Residents Association - we'd urge any other residents associations to make their views known to Mr Kissman as well by emailing michael.kissman@uk.tesco.com!
- Tesco agreed to consider opening the car park on the Eversheds site behind the Peugeot garage to demonstrate how extra shoppers would be attracted to London Road by additional parking.
Mike Dilke of Stop Tesco says,
“We are aware that Tesco has the right to apply for planning permission. We did have some hope that it would also show some awareness of its responsibility to the needs of local people, but this is not the case.
"It appears that the only reason Tesco met us was to tick a box on their 'consultation exercise' to be able to say that it had consulted local people. We feel that they did not take the views of St Albans people seriously and had few positive suggestions to solve our concerns.
“We will both vigorously oppose any planning application and continue to communicate the views of the vast majority of the people of St Albans to Tesco and local and national planning authorities.”
Anti-Tesco Advert on YouTube
Friends of the Earth and Alexi Sayle have produced an online advertisement warning of the dangers of the expansion of supermarkets such as Tesco for local shops. The advert (below) asks people to spend more money locally. We agree!
Thursday 5 July 2007
Traffic Questions
The next set of Tesco questions in the St Albans Review, here, are about traffic. We'd like to make the following points...
1) Local people are most concerned about peak traffic movements! We're not worried that we won't be able to get out of our drives and roads at midnight on Sunday, but on Saturdays and weekday evenings, when over 600m of traffic queues already block up the area!
2) Our preliminary traffic survey shows that only 500-800 cars per hour cause the current gridlock in London Road on weekends - Tesco cannot be serious if it thinks another 500 movements will cause no problem!
3) Few people will combine a trip to the proposed Tesco with a visit to the centre - it may look close on a map, but there's a big hill in the way!
4) Anyone who knows St Albans knows that well over 50% of visitors to the store by car will come up London Road from the South - if they are going the other way they would have already passed Sainsburys or the centre where they can shop!
5) Wouldn't if be great if the 500 cars came at an equal rate through the hour as Tesco suggests! The problem is that they won't and this is what causes jams! And what happens if a car breaks down in the turning lane?
1) Local people are most concerned about peak traffic movements! We're not worried that we won't be able to get out of our drives and roads at midnight on Sunday, but on Saturdays and weekday evenings, when over 600m of traffic queues already block up the area!
2) Our preliminary traffic survey shows that only 500-800 cars per hour cause the current gridlock in London Road on weekends - Tesco cannot be serious if it thinks another 500 movements will cause no problem!
3) Few people will combine a trip to the proposed Tesco with a visit to the centre - it may look close on a map, but there's a big hill in the way!
4) Anyone who knows St Albans knows that well over 50% of visitors to the store by car will come up London Road from the South - if they are going the other way they would have already passed Sainsburys or the centre where they can shop!
5) Wouldn't if be great if the 500 cars came at an equal rate through the hour as Tesco suggests! The problem is that they won't and this is what causes jams! And what happens if a car breaks down in the turning lane?
Wednesday 4 July 2007
Tesco At Hostile Public Meeting in Gerards Cross
A rapid report from the Bucks Free Press about a Tesco public meeting tonight. It seems that the company had a pretty rough reception from local people in Gerrards Cross, who don't really seem to want Tesco at all. It's OK though, because Tesco's Michael Kissman said,
"Most importantly, we recognise that local people have a variety of questions they want to put directly to us. This meeting was incredibly useful to us and we will continue to talk to the community as the project progresses."
But of course there's no way the project will be stopped!
We had lots of similar comments from Mr Kissman when we met with him yesterday, which we considered to be totally fatuous. We will report on the meeting in full before the weekend!
"Most importantly, we recognise that local people have a variety of questions they want to put directly to us. This meeting was incredibly useful to us and we will continue to talk to the community as the project progresses."
But of course there's no way the project will be stopped!
We had lots of similar comments from Mr Kissman when we met with him yesterday, which we considered to be totally fatuous. We will report on the meeting in full before the weekend!
Tuesday 3 July 2007
What Does 'Local' Mean to Tesco?
The BBC has found Tesco selling 'local' milk 150 miles away from where it was produced. We love the way a Tesco spokesperson tries to get around this...
"There is no legal definition of local - and local means different things to different people. But research tells us that customers view food from their region as local - as opposed to food produced a specific number of miles away from a store."
Tesco seems to have a problem understanding what local means - it also has claimed that any store within a 30-minute drive is 'local'. Maybe that's why it can't see why the Tesco planned for St Albans annoys local people so much.
"There is no legal definition of local - and local means different things to different people. But research tells us that customers view food from their region as local - as opposed to food produced a specific number of miles away from a store."
Tesco seems to have a problem understanding what local means - it also has claimed that any store within a 30-minute drive is 'local'. Maybe that's why it can't see why the Tesco planned for St Albans annoys local people so much.
Sunday 1 July 2007
Walk and Social Event on July 7th
On July 7th, the Civic Society will be guiding a walk around the area of the proposed Tesco development. The walk, titled "St Albans Superstore Blues" will cover buildings of interest in the area, some of the local history, and what could be lost if the development goes ahead.
Meet at 2.30pm on the corner of Victoria Street and Lattimore Road, near to Cafe Alfresco. It would help us to judge numbers if you register by clicking here, but you can also turn up unannounced!
The Stop Tesco group will be hosting a social event straight after the walk - from 3.00pm to 6.00pm in the garden of Telford Court, off Alma Road (or inside if wet!). This is a purely social occasion (we promise no boring speeches, petitioning or leafleting!) for all members of the community who oppose Tesco! Please bring along food and drink.
Meet at 2.30pm on the corner of Victoria Street and Lattimore Road, near to Cafe Alfresco. It would help us to judge numbers if you register by clicking here, but you can also turn up unannounced!
The Stop Tesco group will be hosting a social event straight after the walk - from 3.00pm to 6.00pm in the garden of Telford Court, off Alma Road (or inside if wet!). This is a purely social occasion (we promise no boring speeches, petitioning or leafleting!) for all members of the community who oppose Tesco! Please bring along food and drink.
'Tesco Tunnel' Store to Continue
Despite construction causing a railway tunnel to collapse, and a subsequent 2 year delay, Tesco told thisislocallondon that it plans to complete a store at Gerards Cross. Local people are understandably against the proposal and are holding a public meeting on July 4th. Find out more here.
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