Hands Off Hadleigh TESCO

06.07.11 D Day

You may be aware that Tesco have submitted an application for a supermarket of over 3,000 sq. m in Hadleigh, Suffolk, and Babergh District Council have to make a decision about it soon (the exact date is not decided yet, but we will let you know).  The scheme is so large (it's floorspace is much more than the combined floor space of all the present comparable High Street shops) that it will dominate the whole historic part of our Town between the High Street and the River Brett.  It includes 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 creates a massive increase in traffic on our already crowded streets.  It is in the conservation area, within a stone's throw of St Mary's Church.  It will interfere with the Town's allotments.  It will spoil our picturesque river walk and disrupt wildlife.  It will increase the risk of flooding both in Hadleigh and downstream.  It will create considerable distress to those who live nearby, the tranquility of the area having been destroyed for ever.

You may feel that this development does not affect you.  However the Hadleigh Society feels that we are being "railroaded" by a supermarket giant which is quite big enough already and it is time we made a stand.  We would like to ask you for your active support, please fill in the contact form giving your details.

This is an important matter affecting the whole of Hadleigh's character and future.  Don't let them change Hadleigh for EVER, once the supermarket plans have been passed Hadleigh as we know it will cease to exist.

• 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
• Vitality and viability of existing traders and small shops in the High Street that sell a fine selection of locally grown produce 
• 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
• Impact on surrounding historic conservation area (St Mary's, The Deanery, The Guildhall) that proposed store will 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