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You may be aware that Tesco have submitted yet another application for a supermarket in Hadleigh, Suffolk, beteween the high street and the River Brett.
For a small town like Hadleigh, Tesco's scheme would be so large (its floorspace is much more than the combined floor space of all the present comparable High Street shops) that...
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it would dominate the whole historic part of our Town between the High Street and the River Brett.
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It would include a car park for over 200 cars on the water meadows, a new access road off the Ironbridge, disruption of the Town Council allotments and create a massive increase in traffic on our already crowded streets.
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It would be in the conservation area, within a stone's throw of St Mary's Church.
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It would interfere with the Town's allotments.
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It would spoil our picturesque river walk and disrupt wildlife.
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It would increase the risk of flooding both in Hadleigh and downstream.
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It would create considerable distress to those who live nearby, the tranquility of the area having been destroyed for ever.
Since Babergh rejected Tesco's last application in July 2011, circumstances have changed: while Tesco have been trying to bully their way into Hadleigh between the high street and the river, Morrisons have done a deal with Buyright’s owners and have now opened a store on most of the old Buyright site.
The new Morrisons and the existing Co-op will provide substantial opportunitiy for super-market shopping in Hadleigh, whereas Tesco are still claiming that Hadleigh residents "need" a Tesco to save having to travel to Ipswich, Hadleigh or Colchester for their so-called "main shop"! Tesco are also now claiming that they would increase footfall on the high street, even though the range of products that Morrisons andTesco would be selling would put them in direct competition with most town centre shops - many of whom would be taken ouit in the crossfire between the two supermarket giants.
Even those of us most viscerally opposed to Tesco’s Brett Works applications acknowledge that - with the development of Hadleigh - a new supermarket near the by-pass could make sense. It is no surprise therefore that Morrisons has been generally welcomed. Though obviously not by Tesco! Tesco claim to have consumers' interests in mind, but it is reported that they were among the few people who objected to Morrisons' plans! When the new Morrisons finally opened, the East Anglian Daily Times reported: "Morrisons encountered opposition during the planning process from rival chain Tesco, which has resubmitted an application to build a store in Hadleigh town centre." |
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A distinguished barrister Paul Stinchcombe QC has now advised on Tesco’s planning application and has concluded: “in the light of the recent publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and the recent development of a Morrison’s food store on the site of the former Buy Right Store in Hadleigh, the Council is in danger of acting unlawfully in its consideration of the planning application through failing properly to apply paragraph 14 of the NPPF 2012 in respect of a Local Plan which, the Council has independently been advised, is now rendered “out-of-date” with regards to the application site by reason of the recent development of the Morrison’s food store.” |
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click here for the QC’s full opinion |
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Leading retail academic Professor Alan G. Hallsworth has reviewed Tesco’s latest planning application to build a store in Hadleigh, and he has submitted to Babergh DC a formal objection (on behalf of Hands off Hadleigh) against the application.
His vast experience of the subject has led Professor Hallsworth to be very concerned that large superstores severely damage both the character and the economy of Market Towns: which are, in his view, our national “crown jewels”. He also raises many specific issues about Tesco’s Hadleigh proposals. |
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Click here to read the full text of Professor Hallsworth’s Objection |
You may feel that Tesco's new planning application does not affect you. However the Hadleigh Society feels that we are being "railroaded" by a supermarket giant which is quite big enough already: Tesco boasts of already having over 3,000 stores in the UK! We need to make a stand. We would like to ask you for your active support, please contact us giving your details.
This is an important matter affecting the whole of Hadleigh's character and future. Don't let them change Hadleigh FOREVER, if the supermarket plans are passed, Hadleigh as we know it will cease to exist.
Every objection helps!
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Hands Off Hadleigh needs your help. Tesco and their few supporters have been very active in lobbying the Council, giving a very misleading impression that the store would be well received in the town.
We have to keep reminding the Council that there is an overwhelming majority of residents in Hadleigh and neighbouring villages who strongly object to the proposed supermarket between the River Brett and our historic high street, on a number of fronts. With this in mind, your help is urgently needed..
Write to Babergh DC to tell them of your views on Tesco's latest plans, including:
You can contact Berbergh:
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or by completing the ‘Planning Application Comments online’ form which can be found in the planning section at www.babergh.gov.uk
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or by writing to: Planning Department, Babergh District Council, Corks Lane, Hadleigh, Suffolk IP7 6SJ |
When emailing please quote the latest Planning Application No: B/12/01052/FUL. It is important that you include all (or part ) of your postal address, especially if you live in Hadleigh or Suffolk. Just Town/Village and postcode will do.
Then just briefly outline in your own words why you do not think the Brett Works/ Riverside Site is appropriate for any or all of the following reasons you feel most strongly about. Hadleigh residents have raised many issues, including:
- With the recent opening of Morrisons by the by-pass, there is no credible "retail need" for Tesco's proposed store between the High Street and the River. Tesco have long tried to justify their plans by saying that it would save Hadleigh residents having to travel to Ipswich, Sudbury or Colchester for their "main shop": no longer, there is now a big supermarket by the by-pass, as well as a good Co-op on the high Street.
- Tesco would threaten the vitality and viability of existing traders and small shops in the High Street that sell a fine selection of locally grown produce
- Safety issues with access on a bend on a bridge
- Traffic congestion when almost every route into Hadleigh is effectively single lane
- Increased noise levels and pollution from increased traffic drawn into the town, when by-pass built in mid 80's to avoid this
- Impact on natural environment and neighbouring allotments
- First application to build a supermarket (not Tesco) turned down in 1987 on environmental grounds, what has changed since then?
- Concern about run off of excess water and flooding - part of the site includes water meadow
- Impact on surrounding historic conservation area (St Mary's, The Deanery, The Guildhall) that the proposed store would impinge on
- 73% of the town voted against a supermarket on the Brett Work Site in Electoral Reform Society Referendum involving every household in Hadleigh
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Every objection helps!
You should also email the Councillors (email addresses) listed below. You can send just one email to all the councillors, rather than sending them individually. So all you need to do is send one email by copying and pasting the Babergh email addresses below.
It is vital that we get as many people as possible, including visitors to Hadleigh, to send emails quoting some or all of the above reasons for objecting to the planning application. We need to continue reminding Babergh of our opposition to the proposed supermarket between the River Brett and our historic high street by emailing:
and Councillors:
Please help and do please spread the word to ALL like minded people that you know.
Thank you for your help
Hands Off Hadleigh |
