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VIDEO: Protest Over Bigger Tesco
DISILLUSIONED residents turned out in numbers to have their say about an even BIGGER Tesco proposed for Worksop.
More than 100 residents attended a packed public meeting at Valley School on Monday called by Bassetlaw MP John Mann.
In July Tesco submitted plans to increase the size of the Clinton Maltings store by a third – from 45,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet.
Many residents living close to the site said they feel so let down by the planning process that some think objecting to Tesco this time around will make no difference.
High on the list of complaints about the superstore are highways issues, as many say a bigger store will cause traffic chaos.
"If we get a bigger Tesco it will be absolutely grid-locked," said David Moxon, of South Parade.
"We don't need it. Tesco have already interfered in Worksop too much."
"It's going to be terribly congested up there."
Mr Moxon said the level crossing closes for eight minutes at a time which already causes a heavy build-up of traffic.
Notts County Council's highways department has also told the Guardian that it plans to object to this application.
"The development would be likely to result in an unacceptable increase in danger to users of the highway," a spokesman said.
All but two residents at the meeting spoke out against the application with only one resident pointing out the potential employment prospects that a bigger store will bring.
It is six years since the original application for a superstore and cinema and with the 'regeneration package' that was promised nowhere in sight, a two-metre high fence has now been put up around the land.
Colin Jones, of Sunny Bank, said one of his major concerns is the loss of access.
He said he has been using a footpath across the land for 50 years and that the alternative path around the site is unsafe.
"My daughter uses the path every day and has to wear boots because it's so dangerous. It's ridiculous," he said.
Bassetlaw MP John Mann who led the meeting said: "The vast majority of people are upset with this site, it's totally the wrong site."
"People don't know what is going on. Decisions keep being made in secret. There's a total lack of transparency," he added.
Mr Mann explained to residents that they are only able to object to the store's extension not the store itself.
He added that he believes Tesco might have only submitted the application in a bid to block an Asda coming to Worksop on the former Vesuvius site at Sandy Lane.
Leader of Bassetlaw Council Mike Quigley was invited to the meeting but was unable to attend.
"The invitation from John Mann came in the middle of last week at very short notice," Coun Quigley said.
He added that members of the public are welcome to write to the planning board to formally voice any objections about all applications.
A date has yet to be confirmed for when the application will come before Bassetlaw planners.
To comment on the application email Planning@Bassetlaw.gov.uk quoting reference number 02/09/00277.
What do you think about the application?
Write to us at 21-27 Ryton Street, Worksop, Notts S80 2AY or email newsroom@worksop-guardian.co.uk
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Weather for Worksop
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
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