Tesco store at Hadleigh 'not flood risk'
TESCO'S plans to build a superstore in Hadleigh were given a boost this week when environment experts announced the development would not pose a flood risk.
The campaign group Hands off Hadleigh – who are fighting to stop Tesco building close to the River Brett – have maintained that the store would create a flood risk to the town and areas further downstream.
But the Environment Agency has told Babergh District Council that any development on the former Brett Works Site was safe.
Nick Gellatly, a Tesco spokesman, said: "The Environment Agency sought very detailed analysis of potential flood risk here.
"We have worked hard to address all of their requirements and are pleased that we have the all clear from them."
Tesco still has to meet strict criteria on cultivation of the land, evacuation procedures and a surface water plan to limit the impact of run-off from the site.
"Whilst the agency has set conditions that need to be complied with, we are satisfied that all can be met.
"We are still working with the Environment Agency on other matters which we expect to have resolved soon," added Mr Gellatly.
But John Bloomfield, member of Hands off Hadleigh and chairman of the Hadleigh Society, said the larger issues had still not been addressed.
He said: "All the details on flooding have to be sorted out before a decision is made and if they are not then planning permission can't be given.
"The consequences downstream for people in Hadleigh, Layham and Higham are dire if a huge store and car park are built."
He said that floodwaters in the last decade had already lapped at the back doors of many homes in the area and any further squeezing of the Brett could only worsen this.
Mr Bloomfield said he was optimistic that recent comments by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears would shift the argument back in their favour.
"She said that small shops would now be favoured over large stores when local authorities consider planning applications.
"It is nice to see that ministers are finally beginning to listen to the views of the people.
"If this is to be the case then Tesco have no right to build a store in our town."
Tesco's proposals for the former Brett Works site behind Hadleigh High Street follow from Babergh District Council's allocation of the site for a supermarket in its Local Plan.
A decision on the application will be made by Babergh in the autumn.
jonathan.schofield@ sudburytoday.co.uk
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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