‘Bloody nose’ for Tesco

3:17pm Thursday 16th November 2006

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Tesco faces a huge battle to build a store and flats in Tolworth after the local MP, Greater London Authority (GLA) member and more than 150 vocal residents attacked the plan on Monday.

The retail giant may have entered the council-arranged consultation meeting with some optimism, but that was soon dashed by nearly two hours of largely negative questions and statements.

The meeting got off to a heated start after dozens of people were turned away because the venue Knollmead Primary School could only hold 150 people - although about 30 more were eventually allowed in.

Edward Davey, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton, spoke out publicly against the scheme for the first time. His comments were greeted with rapturous applause from the audience and wry smiles from Tesco's management team.

He said: "There is a danger this plan could put the council in breach of its legal requirements in terms of pollution and I'm really concerned about traffic. It's gotten worse in recent months and Tesco needs to completely redo its calculations."

He also expressed serious concern about the mix of residential properties, with only 25 per cent of the 662 flats three-bedroom or more - the size most needed in Kingston.

Tesco defended its plans vigorously and explained to residents the many positives of the scheme, including economic regeneration and becoming one of Europe's leading sustainable developments.

Traffic concerns were tackled on behalf of Tesco by experts, who said the widening of Tolworth roundabout and improvements to the surrounding roads would negate any traffic increase caused by the development - an estimated additional 9,000 in and out traffic journeys per day.

But all the remonstrations failed to win over the crowd.

The retail giant, which also plans for an 8,000sq mtre store, 2,000 sq mtre community usage site and a green bridge connected to the Broadway, also faced high-profile opposition from GLA member Tony Arbour, who questioned what contribution Tesco would make to the existing Tolworth community.

But by far the most vocal in the meeting were the residents, with council officers threatening to suspend or end the meeting due to rowdy behaviour.

Some voices of support were heard through the cheers, jeers and groans, but the voice against the development, and Tesco in particular, was overwhelming.

One man, a governor at a local school, said it was impossible for Tesco to come into Tolworth without major investments at schools, as his had a catchment area of just 500 metres.

There were also worries about sewerage infrastructure, traffic on Tolworth roundabout, pollution, the size of the development, security and the isolation of the Sunray estate.

Local businesses spoke strongly against the impact the development would have on the Broadway.

Speaking after the meeting, Roger Foster from Prince's Avenue Residents' Association, said the night was a "bloody nose" for Tesco.