Little Common Tesco plan row

The controversial planning application for the demolition of buildings at 47-51 Cooden Sea Road (currently the Ken Hood car sales premises) and the proposed construction of a retail unit and ten residential flats went before Rother planners again last Thursday.

Full planning permission is sought for the construction of the three-storey building.

But no firm decision was taken at the heated meeting and the matter will now go to full council.

Tesco's name has never been formally mentioned but many protesters believe the supermarket chain is behind the application.

Some councillors voiced their concerns over access for the delivery vehicles, parking and the effect on smaller local businesses.

Previous plans submitted had been substantially improved to allow a delivery vehicle to reverse into the parking bay and to exit in forward gear.

Cllr Ron Dyason said: "The Highways department are satisfied with the arrangement for access and agree to restricting the size of the delivery vehicle. My professional advice is that there are no sound grounds to refuse in terms of planning."

However, Cllr Brian Kentfield was concerned about what the effect would be on smaller local shops.

He said: "When a multiple goes in there what will happen to them?"

Cllr Patrick Douart agreed and said he had a lot of sympathy with the people of Little Common."

Cllr Joanne Gadd spoke of the parking situation .

She said: "Some of these flats have three bedrooms and some will be let out. If that's the case where are all those residents going to park?"

Cllr Deidre Williams said: "It's absolute nonsense to say this won't affect the local vicinity."

New town mayor Cllr Paul Lendon said: "What concerns me is that there are 507 letters of objection and only two for."

Legal expert David Edwards said: "There has been a lot of public opposition to this but these objections have to be relevant to the plan and most of it isn't relevant to the plan."

Cllr Lendon felt that it was "defamation of the character of the area."

He said: "I would like to see this go to full council."

Cllr Kentfield did not believe anything could be achieved by taking the matter to full council.

He said: "We cannot bring emotions into this debate. The costs to this council and the residents of Rother must be taken into consideration.

"I strongly recommend that we approve the application. My reluctance is that I can't find any planning reasons to refuse and that's what we are here for."

David Edwards said he believed that the costs of going to full council would be in the region of 80,000.

Nevertheless, Cllr Nicholas Ramus asked the committee to vote and, though the room was evenly divided the recommendation that the application went to full council was passed.