Letter of Objection

If you would like to oppose the Tesco Eastside development, please feel free to use the following as a template and write to the planning case officer, your MP and local councillors. See who to contact here.

Re: No Tesco Eastside: Opposition to proposed Tesco City Link development, No. 10/03848/PRES4

Dear Councilors/Planners [delete as appropriate],

As a member of the No Tesco Eastside Group I agree with the points raised in the group letter which follows. I would also like to add my own personal statement[...].

Letter of opposition to Tesco Eastside development

The deadline for objections of 31st December 2010 does not allow sufficient time to fully respond to such a large and complex planning application. We have reason to believe that the proposed Eastside Tesco development may contravene many local and national planning policy statements. Some of the points raised here follow highly critical contemporary reports by DEFRA, Friends of the Earth, Corporate Watch and the New Economics Foundation. However, we would like to discuss this further with you. The following therefore represents the initial objections of the Group to the Tesco scheme but we may well wish to make further representations before the determination of the application. Can you therefore please advise me of the anticipated date of the committee which will consider the application?

1. The threat to the local retail environment
a. Threat to the vitality and viability of Sneinton Market, Sneinton Dale, Hockley, The City Centre, the wider district and other local centres.
b. Erosion of local choice
c. Concern for local suppliers

2. A detrimental increase in traffic
a. Sheer increase in traffic provided by 695 parking spaces
b. A deterioration in air quality and increase in Nitogren Dioxide levels adjacent to Nottingham No2 Air Quality Management Order area around Huntingdon Street and Manvers St. The estimated ‘Medium’ increase in Nitrogen Dioxide levels at NHS Walk-in Centre is particularly concerning.

3. Design Flaws
a. A community centre not within or near any existing communities
b. Appears not to follow Gehl Architects plan for Sneinton Market
c. No quality control with architect promised during building

4. The economic and social impact on local residents
a. Job losses in the local retail environment
b. Tesco’s success has curtailed the high street success of Boots – a Nottingham based business.
c. The development limits the growth of Bio City.
d. Increase in prices
e. Threat to other high street services; post office, dentist, hairdressers etc.

5. An inadequate approach to public consultation
a. This has not been a two way process as specified in PPS1
b. There has been no public consultation with retailers, customers and residents in Sneinton Dale, Sneinton Market or Hockley
c. The consultation has not made any material difference to the design

6. A sequential approach to other more appropriate sites has not been taken
a. Alternative sites at Broadmarsh and Colwick Loop Road have not been considered
b. The car parking does not encourage linked trips to other sites.

7. There is no need for another Tesco
a.  With a Tesco in Carlton and three in the city centre, as well as Asda in West Bridgford and Sainsburys at Castle Marina, there is no need for another supermarket chain in this area.
b. The immediate neighbourhood of Sneinton is already well served with PAC foods, The Co-op, Murat and a new Asian supermarket on the old Kwik Save site.
c. Nationally Tesco have nearly 2,500 retail outlets. We think this is excessive and bland.

8. We need better alternative shopping plans from our local authority
a. A plan for growth in independent retail and co-operatives.
b. Subsidies for existing Eco Works, allotment and co-operatives.
c. More green space.
d. Development of cross community networks which facilitate mutualism and co-operatives.

I look forward to your reply and our further discussion in the above matter.

Kind Regards,

Member

No Tesco Eastside Campaign Group