Tesco's decision 'is good for democracy'

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29 Aug 2008 

Mp Andrew Lansley said Tesco's decision was a great result for democracy.

CAMPAIGNERS and councillors joined residents and MPs in expressing delight at Tesco's decision to withdraw from proposals for an eco-town at Hanley Grange.

The supermarket giant told the News yesterday it was pulling out of the development, which could have seen 13,000 homes built near Hinxton.

The site was one of 12 shortlisted under the Government's eco-town initiative, but opponents questioned its green credentials and affect on local infrastructure. A Tesco spokesman said while Hanley Grange had "very good prospects of succeeding" under the Government initiative, it recognised it would have "implications not only for the local area, but for the region".

But Tesco has not ruled out plans for a "sustainable community" at the site.

The spokesman said: "We believe this is most likely to be achieved through a review of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), which involves a wide range of organisations and interest groups in the region."

Julie Redfern, chairman of the Stop Hanley Grange Joint Action Group, which had vehemently opposed the plans, was thrilled by Tesco's withdrawal from the plans.

She said: "So many groups and councils were against it, and also our MPs. There was no local support for it. This is a great day for local democracy."

Housing minister Caroline Flint was handed a petition with 10,000 signatures opposing Hanley Grange when she visited the site in June.

Organisations including South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC), Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridgeshire Horizons were united in opposition to the Hanley Grange proposals.

Cllr David Bard, SCDC portfolio holder for new communities, said: "I congratulate Tesco on the decision to withdraw from the eco-towns process following our joint discussions with them.

"We are very pleased they accept the best way to proceed with planning for new developments is through the existing planning mechanism of the RSS."

Cambridgeshire County Councillor Matt Bradney, cabinet member for growth and infrastructure, said: "This is excellent news and follows on from our talks with Tesco where they were left in no doubt about our feelings on Hanley Grange being promoted through the eco-towns process.

"We have always argued the eco-town process was flawed and ignored the correct procedures."

Alex Plant, chief executive of Cambridgeshire Horizons, said: "We have consistently objected to the eco-towns process."

Cllr Sian Reid, Cambridge City Council's executive councillor for climate change and growth, said the site was not suitable for sustainable development.

Andrew Lansley, MP for South Cambridgeshire, said: "Jim Paice and I went to see Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive of Tesco. We are pleased he asked his senior people to meet our colleagues. He was keen to ensure Tesco listened to the voice of the people. This is a tremendous outcome for our campaign."

Lawrence Wragg, Cambridgeshire spokesman for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), said eco-town proposals must be "handled by the proper planning system".

He said: "It's ironic that a supermarket should show the Government the best way of handling these proposals."

Read the article in The Cambridge Evening News here .