Monday, October 22, 2012

TESCO & SEDGEMOOR- “WHAT ARE THEY UP TO ?” ASKS BRIDGWATER FORWARD

Tesco’s much delayed planning application to build a monster store on the Brewery Fields has finally been submitted to Sedgemoor District Council.  Or has it?

An application was received some weeks ago and council officers and councillors have certainly met with Tesco to look at the details of the application, but there is nothing on the Council’s website, and no Planning Notice has been issued to the local press.  A deathly silence has descended, and Bridgwater Forward issues a challenge to Sedgemoor District Council to let the public know what is going on.
It  turns out that Sedgemoor DC have been in talks with Tesco since 2005.  Very few councillors knew about this until recently. Once again, this matter is shrouded in uncertainty and secrecy. Why?
Because both Tesco and Sedgemoor know that there will be enormous opposition to the application, which has caused the loss of our town centre swimming pool and involves the sale of a major town-centre open space into private ownership.
Said Bridgwater Forward Chair Sally Jones: “ Are they hoping people will be too busy with Carnival and Christmas to bother objecting to the proposals? Come on Sedgemoor, tell us what is going on. When are you going to publicise this application so the public has a chance to comment?”
In a recent survey of Bridgwater shoppers carried out by Bridgwater Forward, 61% said they would refuse to shop at Tesco.

Contact: GLEN BURROWS   07813562869/ glenburrows@btinternet.com