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MP leads the fight against planned new Leeds Tesco superstore
A LEEDS MP is leading the fight against a new Tesco superstore after hundreds of people objected to the scheme.
Fabian Hamilton (Labour; Leeds North East) says he will speak to the Secretary of State if Leeds City Council approves the plans to rebuild the store on Roundhay Road, Oakwood, on August 27.
Under the plans drawn by the company, the existing store and the neighbouring Homebase would be demolished to be replaced by a Tesco Extra, which is expected to be double the size of the current supermarket.
But campaigners have expressed their fears over the future of other shops in the area – and Mr Hamilton has vowed to consult the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham, if the plans are approved.
He said: "I have already sent two rounds of letters to residents in the area and will be sending out a third in the near future.
"Tesco's main argument is that this new store will create jobs. But if this store gets the go-ahead, jobs will also be lost, because Homebase will close and other shops and small businesses could well go under."
Residents and traders formed a group called Have Our Say to campaign against the proposals, setting up a website – www.haveoursay.co.uk – which gives details of the plan and explains how people can object.
Campaigner Simon Jose has now hit out against Leeds City Council's consultation process, describing it as "unfair" after members of the group were only invited to a site visit 12 hours before it was due to take place.
He said: "People should be allowed to have their say, but we don't feel that's happened. We haven't been kept in the loop.
"If money is spent in local businesses, it stays in the local economy. But if money is spent at Tesco, it goes straight out of the local economy, into the pockets of shareholders, and is never seen again."
Fellow campaigner Gerry Harper added: "It's happening everywhere and we are very concerned. We don't want Oakwood to go the same way as other areas of Leeds, where supermarkets have forced out smaller businesses."
A spokeswoman for Tesco said: "The planning process allows interested parties to have their say and has shown that hundreds of people feel strongly enough to write in support of the Tesco proposal.
"We obviously hope they (The council) decide in favour of our investment in Roundhay."
A Leeds City Council spokesman said: "Site visits are to enable the panel to look at the sites and not to receive comments. "Supporters and objectors will have an opportunity to present their views directly to the panel at the August 27 meeting."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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