Co-op backs down on legal challenge to Swaffham Tesco decision
Residents examining plans for the new Tesco store proposed for Swaffham last year. Picture Matthew Usher.
Martin George
Monday, January 7, 2013
9:29 AM
The Co-op has backed down on its threat to mount a High Court challenge to Breckland Council’s decision to give Tesco planning permission for a new store in Swaffham.
Breckland councillors approved the plans by eight votes to three in July.
The Co-op, which runs the Rainbow Foodstore in the town centre, said last April it would launch a judicial review if councillors approved the application, arguing tests for other suitable sites and the impact of the store were “so clearly deficient as to make such a decision perverse”.
However, the store has now announced it will not try to reverse the decision in the courts.
Anglia Co-operative deputy chief executive Andy Simpson said: “We have taken advice and won’t be challenging the decision on the basis that we have invested very heavily in our Swaffham unit in London Street to help generate increased trading in the town centre.”
Stewart Bell, a local businessman and town councillor who opposed Tesco’s application, said: “I did not think we needed a Tesco store at all and I did speak against it and as a local business I don’t think it would benefit the town in any way, shape or form, so I’m disappointed the Co-op has not followed through.
“It’s a scary time for small businesses at the moment and anything, whether it’s a Tesco or a duplicate store, will have a big effect.”
See today’s EDP for more.
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8 comments
I will no doubt be corrected if I am wrong but didn't Co-op sell their Watton store to Tesco and now we have another Co-op store after they bought Somerfield. The problem is that Co-op don't know what they do want.
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nicholas dasey
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Lets have a closer look to see who at BDC wanted this, dig a little deeper and find the truth. Tescos not required in Swaffham, we have Asda, Co Op, Waitrose,Iceland. A lovely Tesco a Dereham, 2 in Kings Lynn, No more from Mr Cohen
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London in Norfolk
Monday, January 7, 2013
Shame. About time Breckland's planning process was put under the spotlight.
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Police Commissioner ???
Monday, January 7, 2013
Swaffham's town centre will suffer once Tescon open their 'one stop' shed. Once again Breckland has shown an unwillingness to make a stand against the big boys of the retail world. New slogan for the town - 'Swaffham in Decline'
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Tractorboy
Monday, January 7, 2013
Swaffham's town centre will suffer once Tescon open their 'one stop' shed. Breckland has shown once again it is unwilling to make a stand against the big boys of the retail world.
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Tractorboy
Monday, January 7, 2013
So tesco win again
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Lynnstarsmonkey2
Monday, January 7, 2013
So tesco win again
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Lynnstarsmonkey2
Monday, January 7, 2013
So tesco win again
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Lynnstarsmonkey2
Monday, January 7, 2013