ASHTEAD CONSERVATIVES PROBE TESCO OVER THEIR PLANS
Tesco is rumoured to have plans to set up a superstore in the heart of Ashtead, Conservative Councillor, Chris Hunt (Ashtead Village) has decided to meet with representatives of the supermarket giant.
Councillor Hunt who heads the planning committee of Mole Valley District Council, explained what he is trying to do.
"Tesco’s plans to build a superstore in Ashtead is unpopular with local residents, but they are the legal owners of the site that they wish to develop, and they are entitled to submit a planning application. I have already said that if Tesco’s were to make their application, then I would refer that application to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. Tesco might create a local monopoly and this needs to be considered at the time that the application is submitted.
In the meantime, I have decided to meet with representatives of Tesco’s in order to ascertain precisely what they have in mind. They did purchased a site recently in Tolworth but later decided to abandon their plans for a superstore. We need to know what they intend, which is why I have set up this meeting.
Councillor Chris Reynolds (Ashtead Village) said:-
"As a community, we have to deal with the issue of Tesco sensibly rather than make loud noises, which isn’t going to solve anything. If Tesco put in a planning application, it has to be considered by the planning committee of Mole Valley District Council. Councillor Hunt’s approach is the right one."
Malcolm Johnson – Communications Officer – Conservative Group of Councillors for Mole Valley
16th April 2008