Plans for a giant superstore and the revamp of Old Trafford cricket ground have been given the go-ahead despite protests.
Hundreds flocked to the crunch Trafford Council planning meeting to hear councillors approve plans that will signal a revamp of the club’s grounds and the creation of a new Tesco store.
A rival supermarket bid submitted by the owners of White City Retail Park, who wanted to work with Lancashire County Cricket Club on its plans, failed. The Government still has the final say on the LCCC plans due to the size of the proposed Tesco.
Campaigners No Mega Tesco are calling on residents to write to the Government in the hope that the plans will be ‘called in’ for review.
Dr Debbie Ellen, from the campaign, said: "We are urging local residents to write to the secretary of state for communities and local government and ask him to ‘call-in’ the application and hold a public inquiry."
The multi-million pound plans continued to split the town hall, with supporters hailing the return of Test match cricket to Old Trafford and campaigners fearing for the future of town centres like Stretford.
Their worries were further compounded after Stretford Mall went into receivership last week.
Gorse Hill’s Mary Rayner said: "The stated benefits of the cricket ground redevelopment do not justify the impact such a huge store will have."
Labour leader, Councillor David Acton said: "Stretford Mall is struggling now. A large 24-hour Tesco will absolutely kill it off and will have a massive impact on all the town centres."
But others said the benefit of the regeneration would outweigh the disadvantages of the Tesco.
Planning committee member, Councillor Mike Whetton said: "We want to see Old Trafford redeveloped and we will all be very proud of the stadium they have planned.
"It seems the price will be that big Tesco."
After the meeting, LCCC’s chief executive Jim Cumbes said the decision ensures Old Trafford will be among the ‘world’s best cricketing arenas’ and an again host top-level cricket.
Mr Cumbes added: "The planning committee recognised the important role the club plays in supporting Trafford’s economy, especially through hosting international matches like the Ashes. They also backed our plans to deliver a much-needed new retail offering, hundreds of local jobs, and millions of pounds in regeneration."
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Showing comments 1 to 16 and replies | View All
Red Amy (19/03/2010 at 14:44)
Surprised Salford (19/03/2010 at 17:02)
Gorse Hill Resident (24/03/2010 at 10:18)
Those present in opposition were aware that the club had done their utmost to recruit vocal supporters (putting on food etc) and buoy them up for a fight, you only had to watch their 'march' on the town hall to see that - add that to the fact that the result of that planning meeting was openly a foregone conclusion and there was simply no point in holding anything other than a token gesture. For this reason, the no campaigners have been focusing their time elsewhere in protesting. That planning meeting was a joke and in every way reflects the underhand nature of Trafford Council's dealings in this business - the council care not one jot for the local residents and are entirely focused on bailing out the cricket club at the expense of the area's schools, businesses and residents.
Disgraceful.
Shh332, Stretford (24/03/2010 at 10:49)
Victor Chamberlain, Chorlton (24/03/2010 at 11:28)
Georgia Tsakiri (24/03/2010 at 11:42)
Local resident (24/03/2010 at 12:40)
Tesco's funding of the cricket ground amounts to nothing less than bribery and I agree with Ms Tsakiri - it's NOT the 'regeneration' local people are asking for. If this isn't then case, then why did Trafford Council refuse a planning application for a store half this size just 4 years ago because of concerns over its impact on local businesses? Now they're happy to sacrifice those same local businesses for a store twice the size!
I would urge anyone concerned about this vast mega-store development to write to the Secretary of State and ask for the decision to be 'called in' by government.
dorothy Quinn (24/03/2010 at 14:11)
Jean
Stretford
Ex Conservative voter.
David Rowlinson (24/03/2010 at 15:46)
David Rowlinson (24/03/2010 at 15:59)
It is a disgusting afront to democracy that this council have allowed Tesco to bundle its proposal with that of the LCCC in order to force through its Megastore. A Megastore which will destroy local shops and drain market share from local shopping centres.
Damian Cross (24/03/2010 at 18:21)
"Following the shock news of the appointment of receivers to Stretford Mall, Prospective Conservative MP for Stretford and Urmston, Alex Williams has launched a campaign to help struggling local businesses in the constituency. Campaigning in Stretford, Alex has launched a petition and is delivering thousands of leaflets to local residents calling immediate measures in the Budget on 24th March to help local businesses."
You couldn't make it up! I have a suggestion for Councillor Williams and the ruling Conservative group, and they won’t need to wait for help from the Chancellor. Refusing planning permission for a 155,000 square foot Tesco would help keep ‘struggling local businesses’ alive all the way from Urmston to Old Trafford. Has this really never occurred to them?
Shh332, Stretford (24/03/2010 at 23:42)
Debbie Clarke (26/03/2010 at 08:30)
If Government Office North West doesn't 'call-in' this application, based on a seriously flawed decision-making process, there is something badly wrong with the planning system.
Debbie (local shopkeeper)
Joan Haggas (31/03/2010 at 00:01)
I wished to express my opposition to a plan to build a 24 hour MegaTesco and petrol station on land previously owned by Trafford Council and land presently owned by Stretford High School.
The closure of Stretford High School will allow Trafford Council, by default, to sell Tesco the land they need at an inflated price of £21 million; and to pass this money to Lancashire County Cricket Club, a private members club, in order to enable LCCC to commence regenerating their ground. Thus rewarding a private company, from the public purse, for failing to successfully manage their business.
I can confirm that LCCC had loads of supporters but I did not observe anybody supporting Tesco. They apparently required none, after all Trafford M.B.C. were in situ.
steak, Manchester (31/03/2010 at 23:37)
Patrick Sudlow (02/04/2010 at 14:45)