Go-ahead for Tesco store after appeal

The retailer has won its planning appeal meaning it can now forge ahead with plans to turn The Squirrel pub at Areley Kings into a Tesco Express.

The Areley Kings First campaign group has been fighting the proposals. Members fear the new store will not be suitable for the village.

Members of Wyre Forest District Council's planning committee had originally turned down the application due to concerns over noise levels from increased traffic and the impact that delivery lorries would have on the villagers' quality of life.

But Tesco appealed their decision, leading to a planning inquiry which was held last month.

After hearing the evidence in the case planning inspector Jennifer Vyse has upheld the firm's appeal.

Chairman of Areley Kings First Stanley Gibson said the campaigners were disappointed by the decision.

A petition calling for the plan to be scrapped, which contained 1,300 signatures, was submitted to the council prior to the original decision by the committee

The protesters had raised fears over road safety and claimed that the area's existing infrastructure was inadequate and would not cope with extra pressure from the anticipated extra car journeys each day.

The villagers argued that the pub had a viable future, with some expressing their wish to take over the Punch Taverns venue themselves.

Mr Gibson said: "We are disappointed by the decision but I have to say the hearing was very fair and all of the concerns and views of both sides were listening too. We are having a committee meeting to decide what we do now."

In the decision report, Mrs Vyse said she was aware of the strong opposition to the scheme but concluded that the overall benefits of the scheme outweighed any adverse impact suffered.

She said: "There is strong local feeling about this proposal, as reflected by the volume of objections received at every stage and the eloquent opposition demonstrated at the inquiry itself."

"In coming to my conclusions on the issues that have been raised, I have taken full and careful account of all the representations that have been made," said Mrs Vyse, adding: "the evidence in this case leads me to conclude, on balance, that the appeal should be allowed."

The new Tesco Express store will see around 20 new jobs created.