Decision on Littleborough Tesco deferred

The decision on whether a new Tesco food store in Littleborough will be granted planning permission has been deferred until January 28.

Councillor Allen Brett, chairman of the planning committee, said that the decision would be moved to the regulatory committee without any recommendation following a vote from the committee.

Prior to the meeting, 148 letters of objection has been submitted and a petition containing 1,288 the signatures of objectors with just nine letters of support. Mark Robinson, the chief planning officer, said that he had received a “further 18 letters of opposition” to the proposal and “a further two letters of support.”

Several shop owners in the town have voiced their discontent with the belief that the independent shops in the town centre would struggle to compete with a supermarket.

Elizabeth Chaytor, speaking on behalf of the Keep Littleborough Local group, gave reasons for the committee to refuse the proposal.

“I moved to Littleborough four years ago for its selection of independent shops and friendly locals. I moved from Prestwich, an area that was devastated by the opening of a local Tesco.

“The local shops are key to Littleborough. If one shop goes there will be domino effect with others following suit.

“Why would Littleborough be an exception to patterns across the country? Tesco will change Littleborough forever. We can’t risk that.”

Daniel Brown, a planning consultant from Property Alliance, represented the applicant and he argued that the proposed food store would not harm Littleborough’s existing shops.

“This store would be proportional to Littleborough with only staple foods available. 94% of those who reside in Littleborough’s catchment do not currently do their weekly food shopping in Littleborough.

“Any trade loss will be not be significant and will not harm the vitality of Littleborough in the long term.

“I would also highlight that 100 new part time and full time jobs will be created plus temporary jobs during construction.”

Councillor Brett pushed for the limit on free parking to be extended to three hours instead of two in order to increase the chances of customers visiting the other shops in Littleborough. There was no objection to this from Mr Brown.