TESCO MAIL-DROP FAILS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS

Households in Hadleigh have been targeted with a mail drop from Tesco to step up pressure as the application to build a store on the banks of the River Brett is due to be re-considered by Babergh Development Committee.   A date for the meeting still has to be confirmed. 

Support from local community: The Tesco mail-drop fails to take into consideration that over 72% of the town’s residents voted against a store on the River Brett site in a referendum in 1999.   Two subsequent referenda, including one recently undertaken by Hadleigh Chamber of Commerce, concurred with this, with over 75% against the choice of site. The members of the Town Council, who represent the local community, have voted twelve to one against the application.   “Visitors to the town only have to look at the Hands off Hadleigh posters in the windows of houses, businesses and shops all over the town to confirm the level of opposition to the choice of site” said Jan Byrne, Mayor of Hadleigh.

Impact on local jobs : The mail-drop states that the store will create 200 new jobs, but a survey undertaken by The Hadleigh Society, of existing shops and independent traders has revealed that more than 200 jobs and livelihoods could be at stake, not including shop owners, local suppliers, producers and other support services.

Environmental impact: Whilst highlighting Tesco’s commitment to the environment, the mail-drop makes no mention that access in and out of the store will be across the Bridge Street allotments and wet grassland that according to The Suffolk Wildlife Trust, is of ecological significance.  “The mail-drop refers to the store being built on a derelict site.  Anyone who lives in Hadleigh, or knows the town, will consider this a complete misrepresentation of the facts.  The part of the Brett Works site owned by Tesco for many years, has been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent that any proposal could be presented as an amenity improvement” Jan Byrne continued.   “The choice of site is so unpopular amongst residents because of the location. There is serious concern about the impact on the town’s historic High Street, the surrounding conservation area, the riverside wildlife and the nature reserve, immediately opposite.”

Flood risk, access and safety:Most glaring omissions that Tesco’s mail-drop fails to even mention are the greatest concerns amongst local residents, namely the massive increase in traffic in the town, risks of building on a flood plain, safety and access on a bend on a listed bridge. There will be a peak of nearly 600 car movements an hour (based on Tesco’s own figures), along with HGV deliveries by 40-ton lorries.  “The truth is that an overwhelming majority of local residents simply feel the site is wrong, no matter how Tesco try to position the level of support otherwise” Jan Byrne stated.   “The application to build a supermarket (not Tesco) on the Brett Works site was first turned down over 23 years ago in 1987 on environmental grounds.  Ironically there was a Tesco in Hadleigh then, but not on this site, but what else has changed since? The site remains in exactly the same location and environmental impact will be just as damaging, if not, worse due to increase in traffic over the last 20 years.    If there are no issues with the location of the store, why do Tesco have to keep making changes to their plans after all these years and more significantly, why are they allowed to keep doing so when the site is simply so wrong?”

Discussions for Tesco to build on the banks of the River Brett started 12 years ago back in 1998. The first Tesco application to build a store on the site was turned down by Babergh and at a Public Inquiry.   The previous application submitted in February 2008 had to be 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.   The latest application was submitted by Tesco in January of this year and was due to be considered in July, but postponed until now whilst Babergh sought legal advice on environmental issues.

Simon Cairns, Director of Suffolk Preservation Society stated “Hadleigh is a very special place, a historic town that retains those unique ingredients that combine to make an irresistible destination. This proposal could seriously undermine these qualities and harm the economic goose. The store is too big and simply in the wrong location. The relationship of the historic town to the River Brett would be lost and the access, parking and associated noise and pollution would harm the environment of this tranquil backwater and the quality of life for residents. The store is simply too large for the capacity of the local economy. We say think again Tescos, find a better site that the community can support and show us that you are a responsible retailer who cares about your customers” 

For further comment and information please visit www.hands-off-hadleigh.co.uk  

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:

Plans have been submitted to Babergh District Council by Tesco to build a 2,500 sqm) class A1 retail unit in Hadleigh, Suffolk on the banks of the River Brett, along with a second class A1/A3 unit of 142 sqm GEA and a two-storey building to replace Bridge House. The application includes associated access, servicing, landscaping, relocation of part of the Council’s own car park and neighbouring allotments, removal of trees and hedgerows.

For further information please contact:

Jan Byrne               01473 822192                          

jjbyrne@mypostoffice.co.uk              

RELEASE FROM HANDS OFF HADLEIGH CAMPAIGN - RARE WILDLIFE SPECIES AND HABITAT UNDER THREAT

Families and residents from Hadleigh and surrounding villages are joining together on Saturday 2nd August to stage a riverside picnic to illustrate widespread objection to plans to build a Tesco store on the banks of the River Brett, immediately opposite a nature reserve and the town’s much loved River Walk.

The picnic is being organised to renew protest about Tesco’s application to be considered by Babergh District Council in September. The event is being staged as a family event with live music performed by local bands as part of the Hands Off Hadleigh Campaign. Its purpose is to highlight the fact that the River Walk plays a major part in everyday life in Hadleigh and to demonstrate concern about the impact on wildlife. Access to the proposed store will be across wet grassland, which according to Suffolk Wildlife Trust is of ecological significance. This wet grassland is part of a scarce resource within the County of Suffolk, which is why it is classed as a Biodiversity Action Plan habitat.

The proposed store will be located immediately within the River Brett corridor and adjacent to a nature reserve on Broom Hill. The area hosts a wide range of flora and fauna, many of which are important within Britain’s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). Not only is the Riverside Walk much appreciated by local residents and many visitors for its wild flowers, birds and tranquil atmosphere, it is of considerable local conservation value. There are some 50 species of birds, including many of conservation interest, to be found there including turtle doves, song thrush, nightingale, kingfisher, water rail, spotted flycatcher and barn and tawny owls, to name but a few. Other important BAP species which are present along the riverside and in adjacent fields and meadows include water voles, otters, bats, toads, slow worm and grass snake.

Local resident, bird watcher and wildlife enthusiast Bryony Farrow, aged 12, said ” Even though I can’t hear some of the birds, as I wear hearing aids, I have very good eyesight and as a member of the RSPB I love to go down the River Walk and spot as many different birds as possible. The River Walk is a great place for all sorts of wildlife and you always see something different every time you go there. But with big buildings, noise, bright lights and litter a lot of the animals and birds will be scared off. I get angry when I think that people with lots of money think they can just do what they want,, even if they don’t live here.”

Many local residents fear that the tranquillity of the River Walk and Nature Reserve will be blighted by noise pollution, shopping trolleys in the river and carrier bags in the trees. With a massive increase in traffic, with up to 4,000 car movements a day (based on Tesco’s own figures), up to 10 HGV daily deliveries, the noise of reversing vehicles, the traffic fumes and lighting, there is serious concern about the environmental impact.

Plans have been submitted to Babergh District Council by Tesco to build a 33,000 sq feet (3,055 sqm) class A1 retail unit on the banks of the River Brett, along with a second class A1/A3 unit of 142 sqm. The application includes associated access, servicing, landscaping, relocation of part of the Council’s own car park and neighbouring allotments, removal of trees and hedgerows.

Passions and concerns amongst local residents are greatly heightened because the proposed site will not only involve disruption to allotments on the river-side, but more alarmingly, the development will have flood insurance implications for those living in the town and downstream. Tesco still have to meet certain criteria with regards to cultivation of land, evacuation procedures and a surface water plan to limit impact of any run-off at the site. Many residents remain concerned about the impact of covering soak up land with tarmac to provide parking for over 300 cars. The impact of development on flood plains was made all too clear during last year’s Summer floods.

Ecologist, allotment holder, member of Suffolk Wildlife Trust and the Bridge Allotment Association, Brian Dicks said “Allotment holders are concerned about the impact the proposed Tesco store would have, both on the peaceful and highly productive allotments and on the wildlife of the Hadleigh riverside, which we all enjoy. Our allotments actually help wildlife – in a recent report the Government described them as “green lungs” and an important component of wildlife corridors. In many areas of life we see the erosion of valued resources and scant respect for the quality of life which local residents appreciate so much. A Tesco store on the riverside in our lovely town centre poses an unacceptable threat to some of our most precious wildlife resources and to our peace and tranquillity. There are many alternative options to having a town centre store and we should fight against this particularly intrusive proposal because of the threat it poses”.

For further comment and information please visit www.hands-off-hadleigh.co.uk

RELEASE FROM THE HADLEIGH SOCIETY - TRAFFIC CHAOS IF NEW TESCO GOES AHEAD

A road traffic survey conducted by The Hadleigh Society involving over 100 cars was undertaken on 3rd May to simulate increased car movements, traffic congestion and exhaust fumes that Tesco would bring to the town.

Within 15 minutes of the survey starting there were traffic queues and congestion with cars backing up in Calais Street, the High Street, and Bridge Street in the May Bank holiday weekend sunshine, with journeys across this small town taking over 6 minutes longer than usual.

“This is what the future will hold for our historic town if Babergh allows Tesco to arrive in Hadleigh,; traffic queues, delivery lorries, exhaust fumes, noise pollution, road signage and 24 hour lighting:” Graham Panton of Hadleigh Society said “ Based on Tesco’s own figures there will be 4,852 car movements a day. Vehicle access into the new store would be on a bend on a bridge across the River Brett and, from all but one direction, will increase traffic levels in the High Street.”

A recent survey undertaken by small shops and independent traders in the town revealed that many businesses were concerned that increased traffic will have a negative impact on their trade and that there would be traffic congestion in the High Street, especially as most roads into the town are effectively single lane.

A by-pass was built around Hadleigh in the 1980’s to ease traffic congestion in the High Street and help to protect the foundations of the Medieval Buildings. Many residents are concerned that the increased traffic into the town will have an impact on the structure of listed buildings and that it will threaten the independent retailers and small shops selling local produce in the High Street.

The impact on the tranquility of the town’s River Walk and nature reserve, located immediately opposite the proposed site, is also under threat. With up to 10 HGV delivery lorries a day, the noise of reversing vehicles, the traffic fumes and lighting, there is widespread concern about pollution and the environmental impact.

Vehicle access to the proposed 33,000 sq feet (3,055 sqm) class A1 retail unit, along with a second class A1/A3 unit of 142 sqm, will involve relocation of 18 neighbouring allotments, the removal of trees and hedgerows. The disruption to the allotments on the riverside with up to 400 car movements an hour will be devastating.

There is even greater concern that an area of water meadow adjacent to the proposed supermarket site will be covered over with tarmac to accommodate parking for over 200 cars. As such, the development will have flood insurance implications for those living in the town and downstream. The cost of building on flood plains was made all too clear during last year’s Summer floods.

A survey conducted by The Hadleigh Society involving independent retailers, small shops and businesses in the town’s historic High Street has revealed grave concerns about traffic congestion, loss of business and jobs if Tesco is granted permission to build a 33,000 sq feet (3,055 sqm) class A1 retail unit on the banks of the River Brett, along with a second class A1/A3 unit of 142 sqm.

Tesco who recently announced record profits of ÂŁ2.85 billion, state that a new supermarket on the River Brett site will bring 100 new jobs to the town. The survey amongst existing retailers and independent shops in Hadleigh has revealed that over 200 jobs and livelihoods could be at stake, not including shop owners, local suppliers, producers and other support services. Some of the businesses that participated in the survey felt that the proposed store would not be in direct competition with them, but even those were concerned about parking and increased congestion in the town.

“We fear that a new Tesco store will have a potentially devastating effect on the retail side of our own business that sells a range of products including greeting cards, gifts and stationery” Jeremy Brown said. “This would not only threaten jobs in this part of our business, but also the viability of our Post Office business. Both sides are interdependent, and any threat to one would seriously jeopardise the viability of the other. There should be no illusion that it would be any way viable for us to operate the Post Office without our retail business”.  

Hadleigh High Street currently boasts a wide selection of shops, many of which sell local Suffolk produce including fresh fruit and vegetables from Layham, pickles and preserves from Long Melford, Rendlesham and Polstead, rapeseed oil from Halesworth, cheeses from Friston and Coddenham,, honey from Edwardstone, ales and cider from Southwold, Bungay and Bury St Edmunds, poultry and meats from Suffolk farms, bread from Capel, Lavenham and Barnham., fruit juices from Battisford and Stowmarket.

Many residents in Hadleigh and surrounding towns and villages are concerned that the arrival of Tesco would threaten the independent retailers and cause traffic chaos, especially as most roads into the town are effectively single lane.

“The High Street already accommodates a supermarket that has been considerably enlarged since Tesco’s last application and nearby Buy Right (a former Tesco site) now has a designated food area. The town is also serviced by a further 10 supermarkets within a 15 mile radius, all considerably larger than the proposed new Tesco store” said Jan Byrne from the Hadleigh Society.

“We are fortunate to have such a wide variety of shops selling Suffolk produce. Not only is it fresh and good quality, but as it’s local, it has a low carbon footprint.” Jan Byrne continued. “We should be promoting this to encourage more visitors to the town, rather than putting our independent shops and retailers under threat”

TESCO THREAT TO HISTORIC HIGH STREET

Plans have been submitted to Babergh District Council by Tesco to build a 33,000 sq feet (3,055 sqm) class A1 retail unit in Hadleigh, Suffolk on the banks of the River Brett, along with a second class A1/A3 unit of 142 sqm.   The application includes associated access, servicing, landscaping, relocation of part of the Council’s own car park and neighbouring allotments, removal of trees and hedgerows.

The part of the site owned by Tesco for many years, has been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent that any proposal could be presented as an amenity improvement.  The landscape report is extremely thorough – but it can afford to be because, under circumstances created by Tesco’s dereliction, it’s the only remotely positive aspect of the proposal.

The application has been a long time in the planning and caused strong divides within the local community.   The first application by Tesco to build on this site was made 10 years ago and was subsequently turned down by Babergh Planning Committee and at appeal. The last application submitted by Tesco in 2003 was not determined. Both received widespread objection from local residents and from a range of organisations including The Suffolk Preservation Society.

The prospect of a Tesco store on the proposed site has received such strong objections because Hadleigh is a rare, surviving example of a thriving market town.  In fact it is listed by The Council for British Archaeology as one of few historic towns considered to be “so splendid and so precious that ultimate responsibility for them should be a national concern”.   A conservation area around the town centre was established in the early 1970s.   A new Tesco will impinge upon this area and would be visible from protected areas such as Hadleigh’s “incomparable” Church Close.  As such, it will have a major impact on the riverside wildlife and the town’s High Street, 92% of which is listed as Grade or 2*.   Access into the town is already difficult, as all roads into Hadleigh are  effectively single lane.   Vehicle access into the new store would be on a bend on a bridge across the River Brett and from all but one direction, will increase traffic levels in the High Street.

The High Street already accommodates a supermarket that was expanded in 2003 and a wide variety of small shops, that are supplied by local farms, dairies, fruit, vegetable and flower growers and wholesalers. The town is also serviced by a further 10 supermarkets within a 15 mile radius, all considerably larger than the proposed new Tesco store.

“A by-pass was built around Hadleigh in the 1980’s to ease traffic congestion in the High Street and to help protect the foundations of the Medieval Buildings” said Jan Byrne, from The Hadleigh Society.  “Whilst many residents reject the idea of another supermarket in Hadleigh all together, a large number are open to the suggestion of an alternative location maybe off the by-pass and on the edge of town. A referendum was held in 1999 through the Electoral Reform Society involving every household and resident in Hadleigh.  Over  72% of votes returned agreed that we did not want a supermarket on the River Brett site.   Since then the existing Co-op has been considerably enlarged and nearby Buy Right (a former Tesco site) now has a designated food area”.

Passions and concerns amongst local residents are greatly heightened because the proposed site will not only involve disruption to allotments on the river-side, but more alarmingly, the development will have flood insurance implications for those living in the town and downstream.  The impact of development on flood plains was made all too clear during last year’s Summer floods.

The proposed store will also be located immediately opposite a nature reserve on The River Brett that hosts a unique range of flora and fauna including wild iris and water lilies.     The River Walk in Hadleigh is enjoyed by both local residents and by many visitors. Hadleigh is a town with a growing population and many residents are open to the suggestion of another supermarket, but not on the River Brett site.  It is feared that the massive increase in traffic, with up to 4,000 car movements a day (based on Tesco’s own figures), will harm riverside wildlife and spoil the tranquility of the River Walk and nature reserve. With up to 10 HGV delivery lorries a day, the noise of reversing vehicles, the traffic fumes and lighting, many local residents are very concerned about the environmental impact and the impact on the structure of listed buildings in the High Street.

Hadleigh resident and mother of two, Kathryn Grandon, is one of the many objectors to the building of a supermarket on the proposed site.  “'Like most families, we do shop in supermarkets and while it would be convenient to have a store in Hadleigh, convenience would be outweighed by the damage it would do to the town. I would not mind if a supermarket was built on a different site - lots of people feel the same. But the planned site is totally unsuitable - we would have constant traffic jams and the beautiful River Walk would be ruined.' Kathryn continued: “I foresee Hadleigh becoming regularly gridlocked if Tesco is built along the riverside.  Most people buying for families, which is a high proportion in Hadleigh, would drive to the store – as even if you live just five minutes walk away, everyday purchases like milk and vegetables, are too heavy to carry.

For further comment and information please contact:  www.hadsoc.org.uk