CROWDS TURN OUT IN SEARING HEAT AS TESCO HANDS OFF HADLEIGH PROTEST TAKES TO THE SKIES                    On Saturday 10th July, just over 400 Hands Off Hadleigh supporters turned out to demonstrate widespread concern about access and safety issues surrounding the controversial Tesco application to build a supermarket on the River Brett site.   Participants lined up with banners on the bridge as a paramotor aerial photograph was taken to put the site in context and to highlight concerns about access on a bend on a listed bridge, across the town’s allotments and wet grassland that is of ecological significance.                     Despite the humidity and record high temperatures, residents from Hadleigh and surrounding villages turned out in force to illustrate opposition to the choice of site. Hands Off Hadleigh organisers were especially delighted with the attendance figures following confusion caused by Babergh’s last minute cancellation of the special meeting of the Council’s Planning Committee to consider the Tesco application on 14th July. The meeting has been delayed because Babergh is seeking legal advice on environmental issues and have confirmed that September 2010 will be the earliest date the application will now be considered.                    Over 400 protestors, of all ages, turned up at Bridge Street Car Park from all over Hadleigh and from as far afield as Ipswich, Bildeston, Layham, Polstead and Pin Mill.   The crowd enjoyed live music performed on the back of a trailer by The Freemen and joined in the chorus of the Hands Off Hadleigh anthem composed by Spacecake.                     Fashion journalist, TV Presenter and local resident, Caryn Franklin addressed the crowd.  She received cheers and applause whilst outlining the many reasons why the Tesco application is not in the best interests of the Town.    The crowd was thanked for turning out in such numbers by Mike Pearson from Hands Off Hadleigh, who said     “ On a hot day like today I am sure we would all rather be enjoying the sea breeze on a beach with our kids”.  The fact that so many of you have supported today’s event, despite the heat and the cancellation of the Babergh Planning Committee Meeting, demonstrates that we do not want a Tesco on this site.  If there are still serious environmental issues, 12 years after the first of numerous applications by Tesco, it is clear that the site is not suitable and this application should be withdrawn”. Mike Pearson continued, “We don’t care if it’s Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer, Somerfield, Co-op or Asda.  We don’t want any supermarket on the River Brett site.” The previous application submitted by Tesco in February 2008 was deferred, as Tesco had to meet certain criteria with regard to cultivation of land, evacuation procedures and a surface water plan to limit impact of any run-off at the site.    This was due to be considered in May 2008. Revisions to the previous application were submitted by Tesco in January 2010 and were due to be considered in the Spring and then on 14th July.     Now it has been delayed until at least September 2010.                    The purpose behind the Hands Off Hadleigh event was to highlight the many reasons why the site is so inappropriate and unpopular, with access and safety being causes for greatest concern.  The impact of the proposed store on riverside wildlife, the surrounding conservation area, the nearby nature reserve and the vitality and viability of existing shops in the town’s historic High Street are all in themselves good reason to question the River Brett site.   It is, however, the massive increase in traffic and access on a bend on a listed bridge that raises most serious concern.  The paramotor aerial photos were taken by Mark Debenham www.pmap.org.uk to put the site in context.   More pictures can be seen here.