Tesco’s much delayed planning application to build a monster
store on the Brewery Fields has finally been submitted to Sedgemoor District
Council. Or has it?
An application was received some weeks ago and council
officers and councillors have certainly met with Tesco to look at the details
of the application, but there is nothing on the Council’s website, and no
Planning Notice has been issued to the local press. A deathly silence has descended, and
Bridgwater Forward issues a challenge to Sedgemoor District Council to let the
public know what is going on.
It turns out that Sedgemoor DC have been in talks with
Tesco since 2005. Very few councillors
knew about this until recently. Once again, this matter is shrouded in
uncertainty and secrecy. Why?
Because both Tesco and Sedgemoor know that there will be
enormous opposition to the application, which has caused the loss of our town
centre swimming pool and involves the sale of a major town-centre open space
into private ownership.
Said Bridgwater Forward Chair Sally Jones: “ Are they hoping
people will be too busy with Carnival and Christmas to bother objecting to the
proposals? Come on Sedgemoor, tell us what is going on. When are you going to
publicise this application so the public has a chance to comment?”
In a recent survey of Bridgwater shoppers carried out by
Bridgwater Forward, 61% said they would refuse to shop at Tesco.
Contact: GLEN
BURROWS 07813562869/
glenburrows@btinternet.com
