Tesco set to double in size despite protests
An extension to Tesco supermarket in Towcester appears to be inevitable – despite the protests of archaeologists – after council planners recommended it should go ahead.
History experts at Towcester and District Local History Society had revealed that 100 Roman coins and other items were found near the Old Tiffield Road site in 1864.
They believe finding more items of national significance was highly likely.
However, planning officials at South Northamptonshire Council recommended that building work could go ahead until any artefacts were discovered.
A spokesman for the society said: "It is recommended that the applicant should be asked to withdraw the application pending archaeological works being carried out.
"Should this not be forthcoming, Towcester and District Archaeological Society recommends the application be refused."
Tesco's plan would see an extension of the store and service yard, as well as additional parking for 33 cars with the supermarket paying 50,000 towards the study of traffic flows on the A43 and 260,000 to pay for an extension to the route 88 bus service for evening and weekend transport to the store.
But other objections were raised by Towcester shopkeepers, who believe their businesses would be further threatened by the extension.
Alan Nall, of opticians DW Roberts in Sponne House Shopping Centre, even requested 25,000 funding for a town centre manager to support trade if the extension is given the green light.
He said: "Two stores have closed recently, several stores are up for sale, other stores are not trading particularly well – they are just hanging on.
"Tesco doubling in size could be the straw that broke the camel's back.
"It could further affect the viability of the town centre's shops and seriously affect the town centre vitality."
But planning officers claim there would be no "significant" impact on shops.
The application comes after an investigation which found Tesco was dominating other supermarkets to the extent it is lodging double the number of planning applications of its two biggest rivals combined.
Analysts believe Tesco is acting quickly before expected new competition rules become law.
A final decision on the Towcester bid will be taken by councillors next Thursday at 2.15pm.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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