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Tesco ‘in clear’ over impact on environment
Tesco store pic 1.jpg
TESCO will not have to assess the impact of their proposed new Scarborough superstore on surrounding residents and the environment before submitting a planning application.
It has emerged that Scarborough Council, who stand to make £10 million from the sale of the land off Dean Road, has told the supermarket giant they will not have to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Under law, an Environmental Impact Assessment is required for major developments which “are likely to give rise to significant environmental effects”.
During the process, information is collated and assessed before a decision is reached on whether a project should go ahead.
It is up to the council to decide whether a development of the type Tesco are proposing would fit the criteria that would require an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Scarborough and District Civic Society argued strongly that an assessment should have been completed, citing the proposed store’s size, design, proximity to listed buildings and residential areas and its potential to increase traffic and noise.
However Marcus Whitmore, the council’s area planning manager for Scarborough and Whitby, ruled in favour of Tesco’s developer DPP.
Mr Whitmore agreed that the 11,500 square metre superstore, which will include a 5,500 square metre sales floor, four island filling station and 516 bay car park, “did not raise environmental issues of such proportion to warrant an Environmental Impact Assessment”.
Adrian Perry, chairman of the Scarborough and District Civic Society, was furious when the Evening News informed him of the decision.
He said: “I think it’s scandalous. This is something that is so important to people who live in the area.
“From what I can see, it’s just going to be a standard out of town Tesco which they’re going to plonk down with no thought as to its relationship to the area.
“The old jail is listed and it’s going to be surrounded by parked cars. That’s not sympathetic treatment.”
Mr Perry also said many specifications included in the council’s planning brief, such as any development being of mixed use and including a “green corridor”, were missing from the initial Tesco plans.
He added: “I think it raises questions when the body that is the arbiter is the one which stands to benefit financially. It could cloud their judgement.”
The decision also proved controversial at a community and police meeting for the Northbay, Northstead and Central wards on Tuesday evening, at which Tesco representative Ben Pilgrim gave a presentation.
Members of the public expressed concerns that an environmental assesment would not have to be completed.
Tesco have argued any issues can be addressed during the planning process. A formal planning application is expected to be submitted imminently.
DPP said an assessment was not needed because the supermarket will be in an urban area and steps will be taken to ensure the building design fits into its location.
In a letter from DPP to the council, it was stated: “We maintain that the redevelopment of this previously developed site that has accommodated a hospital and council depot will not have significant effects on the environment.”
Cllr Eric Broadbent, who represents the Central ward where it is proposed the supermarket will be built, was unconvinced by the arguments.
He said he was “extremely disappointed” at the council’s decision.
He added: “I hope they are not looking at taking short-cuts to get this through as soon as possible.
“It’s ridiculous to say it shouldn’t need an assessment which could have sorted things out before it went to planning and alleviated the fears of local people in the community.
“It looks like they are looking to maximise their income without looking at the needs of residents.”
Scarborough Council planning manager Jill Low explained the reasons behind the decision.
She said: “The proposal involves development of a site which is previously developed land within an urban context and in that sense can be considered an efficient use of land resources.
“The environmental impact of waste production, material pollution or nuisance is also not considered to be of such significance to trigger an assessment and as the development does not involve industrial processes, there is no risk of accidents from chemical or hazardous substances and technologies.
“The location of the development is not considered sensitive by regulations although we do recognise that the impact on the surrounding residential streets and on site listed buildings will need careful consideration in the planning application submission.
“Although an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required, the applicant will still need to submit full information in respect of all of the relevant planning considerations, for example retail impact, highway implications, impact on residential amenity and will in fact cover the issues which would have been included with an Environmental Impact Assessment anyway.”
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Comments
There are 22 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
scarboroughman
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 06:18 PMRe 11 I dont have a full list of councillors who voted for Tesco, but I believe every Conservative, most independents, and 1 green voted for Tesco, all the lib dems voted against Tesco. This is a good starting point. Another thing to consider for the store to be built it has to get planning permission, so find out who is on the planning commitee and go for them first. I think the majority are conservative councillors. You could always ask your local councillors how they voted on the sale of the site, and what their intentions are if they are on the planning committee.
bignose
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 10:05 AMThe council outsmarted by Tesco!!! Put a pound sign in front of their faces and a tin of tesco baked beans could outsmart them! Please stop thinking that anything will be done in the best interests of the residents.
lemon tops
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 09:03 AMTesco are building £150 million worth of civic amenities in order to be allowed to open a store in Gateshead. Tesco have purchased at a discounted rate a prime location town centre piece of land to open a store in Scarborgh. Notice the difference?
Mr Do!
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 11:44 PM@ Idon'tbelieveit!, that is the sad truth.
Idon'tbelieveit!
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 10:55 PMOh and I forgot a huge over spend on the Spa which will eat up most of the money we get for the Tesco site!!
Idon'tbelieveit!
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 10:54 PMOh and I forgot a huge over spend on the Spa which will eat up most of the money we get for the Tesco site!!
Idon'tbelieveit!
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 10:51 PMWhitewash! Done Deal, Fait Accomplis etc etc. No All Weather Water Park, the Futurist in question, a money wasting Park and Ride, a money haemorrhaging OAT and now a massive new Tesco that no one wanted. Roll on May and let's at least get rid of something useless we don't want!
Zuperacko
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 10:44 PMTo suggest that a development of this nature in what is mainly a residential area should not have an EIA is totally ridiculous and is a further demonstration of how the Council and Tesco are simply ignoring the wishes of local people in this respect. And what about our so called "Green" Councillors did they support local people in urging the Council to carry out an EIA, it doesn’t look like it but I understand they did support the creation of noise, pollution and vibration for local people in voting for this development. ENVIRONMENTAL UNFRIENDLY GREEN COUNCILLORS
hometownboy
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 09:59 PMJust goes to prove that money talks and people dont matter . what a complete farce
Mr Do!
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 09:56 PMNothing will stop this store from opening. This is one hooray project that will go through at a fast pace. Over the last few years the council has sold off land to big private companies, but we all know that anyway.
diapason
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 06:07 PMSorry - wrong principles
diapason
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 06:06 PM1. Get rid of every councillor who voted for Tesco. Can we have a list, please? And it wasn't just Tories was it?..................................... 2. No Environmental impact in traffic, in the impact on local businesses, in the increased number of people using the area. Oh COME ON!!! Does ANYONE, including that nasty evil Fox, really believe this or will we prostitute all our principals for a few million quid?
scarboroughman
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 05:23 PMThis is further proof of underhand tactics, how can it be right that the organisation that benefits financially makes this decision, this should have been decided by an independent body. What we are seeing with this proposed development is a lot of stitch ups by our council. Just seen on the Scarborough Speaks page on face book that Tesco have submitted a listed building consent application for the prison. We need to come out in force about this development, a protest is called for along with getting rid of every councillor who voted to sell the land to Tesco
Hilmian
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 03:35 PMWhat a suprise the multi billion pound business which employs only the best out smarts the minnows of the local council. Now that the council have fallen for the big pay off from Tesco everything will just be a formality before the store is built and SBC get their reward. TESCO do this to all councils and now they have the upperhand a sad day for democracy!!
TSnf
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 03:08 PMSurprise, surprise,nothing's changed with this then, Tesco can obviously get away with whatever it sees fit to get away with, and weren't councillors instructed to vote in favour of this unwanted development? (Democracy? don't make me laugh!!!) Also, this site is largely used by the Cleansing Dept, but nothing has been mentioned as to where they will be moved to when the building of the new Tesco begins. Perhaps it will be sold to the lowest bidder? It would be par for the course in this town!!
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