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!
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2 comments:
On the subject of the Odeon - does anyone know if there is any truth in the rumour that Tesco sold the Odeon site subject to a restrictive covenant (in favour of the Tesco site) preventing its use as a cinema?
If true, Tesco cynically put the covenant on:
1. in order to increase the value of the site to a developer
2. to place pressure on/bind the hands of the council regarding the use of that site
3. to have a plan B whereby Tesco will need to be paid more money to release the covenant if the Odeon is finally to be turned back into a cinema.
Anyone seen the Rex in Berkhampstead? Now that's what can be done with a derelict cinema!
The covenant was imposed when it was sold by Rank in 1995 and only prevents use of, or reference to, the names Rank or Odeon. Legal advice is that it does NOT restrict it's use as a cinema.
Chris Adkins
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