Tesco plan set to be shelved (From Oxford Mail)

Tesco plan set to be shelved

8:30pm Sunday 19th April 2009 in

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Plans for a third Tesco store in Oxford look set to be shelved after a wave of community opposition.

The supermarket giant submitted plans to build an Express store on the site of the boarded-up Friar pub in Marston Road.

However, more than 1,500 people have signed two petitions against the store amid fears it will lead to a surge in traffic, undercut traders and threaten the only post office in the area at the Costcutters store in Old Marston Road.

City council officers have recommended the plans are kicked out by councillors at Tuesday’s north east area committee meeting.

A report by planning officer Andrew Murdoch calls for store to be refused permission because it would generate too much traffic and be overbearing for the two neighbouring properties.

Croft Road resident and community campaigner Mick Haines, 68, said: “There’s a really strong feeling locally against this Tesco.

“The main concerns are the traffic and the fact the shop would be on a blind spot.

“We are also very worried a Tesco would put the small family businesses here out of business altogether.”