Archived press release

Tesco store rejected in Sheringham

4 March 2010

The decision today (Thursday 4 March 2010) by North Norfolk District Council to reject an application for a new Tesco store in the historic town of Sheringham has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth.

The Council rejected Tesco in favour of an environmentally friendly community retail store.

The green campaigning charity is calling on the Government to introduce stronger national and local planning policy to curb supermarket dominance and instead support independent shops, local economies and a broader choice of retail for communities.

Friends of the Earth's food campaigner Helen Rimmer said:

"This is fantastic news for the local people and businesses of Sheringham, who have fought against a new Tesco for nearly fifteen years.

"Tesco controls a third of the UK's grocery market and communities up and down the country are fighting back against its takeover of our towns and cities.

"It is now vital that the Government and local authorities bring in new policies to support independent shops and the local economy to give communities a genuine choice about where to shop."

Notes to Editors

1. Tesco has been seeking planning permission for a store in Sheringham since 1996. In November 2007 North Norfolk District Council rejected Tesco's application for a 1,500 sq m store, which Tesco appealed. After a public inquiry, the planning inspectorate in September 2008 upheld the decision to turn down plans for a new store declaring that the "vitality, viability and retail function" of the town would be harmed if the development went ahead.

2. Tesco submitted plans for a revised store in August 2009, which were opposed by Sheringham Town Council on the basis of inappropriate design, unacceptable traffic impact, loss of housing, detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the town and the impact on the viability and vitality of the town's retail core. An application by Waitrose for a 'Greenhouse Project'
superstore was submitted, and has been accepted today.

3. Friends of the Earth's Food Chain Campaign is calling on the Government to get behind planet-friendly farming www.fixthefoodchain.com

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust