Councillors’ disbelief at Tesco’s free rein over Grantham store
The former Cherry Tree pub in Harrowby Lane, Grantham, which is to become a Tesco Express.
Councillors reacted with surprise and concern at the news that they can make no conditions on a soon-to-open Tesco Express in Grantham.
Members of the development control committee at South Kesteven District Council were asked to consider several planning applications for minor alterations and additions to the store, in Harrowby Lane, which was formerly the Cherry Tree pub.
However, as the supermarket chain needs no change of use permission to run the premises as a shop, members cannot impose conditions on opening and delivery times. Coun Mark Ashberry called the planning law “unacceptable”.
Disbelieving members continued to debate the point despite numerous attempts by the committee chairman to bring the three applications to the forefront of the meeting.
Tesco asked for permission to install an external ATM machine, to install an external condenser unit and three air conditioning units, and to make minor alterations such as a shopfront, lighting and illuninated signage.
Concerns raised over the impact of lighting on neighbours was answered by a planning officer who said Tesco had agreed the manager would turn the lights off on closing the store. Its opening times are to be 6am to 11pm, seven days a week, giving residents just seven hours’ respite.
The committee heard how a noise report had been carried out on the condenser and air conditioning units. However, Coun Charmaine Morgan aired concerns over noise emanating from the ATM machine.
Coun George Chivers addressed the committee prior to votes being cast. He said the claim that the building had been vacant for a period of time was misleading as Tesco took over the lease once the pub closed and “chose to leave it vacant”.
Coun Chivers went on to raise concerns over motorists parking on the roadside and the impact increased traffic might have on the safety of children attending a nearby primary school. He also said the noise from the condenser and air conditioning units would be clearly audible in the night once the roads were quieter. He said: “I wouldn’t like to live beside it.”
Eventually, members voted and each application was approved.
* Signage outside the soon-to-be Tesco Express states that the store will open on February 13. However, a Tesco spokesman has refused to confirm a date and will only say it would be in the spring.
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