A SUPERMARKET chain will not be expanding one of its stores in north Staffordshire after the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government vetoed the plans.
Tesco wanted to demolish the current Trent Vale building with an “eco” store built on stilts, increasing the gross floorspace from 5,342 sq metres to 9,383 sq metres.
It received planning permission from Stoke City Council 13 months ago despite objections from businesses and neighbouring Newcastle Borough Council which said it felt it would “seriously harm the viability of Newcastle town centre”.
The decision was subsequently called in and the secretary of state Eric Pickles MP agreed with a Government inspector’s recommendation that it should be refused, ruling the development “would likely result in a decline in Newcastle town centre trade/turnover”.
It is estimated that up to 180 jobs would have been created had the new scheme been given the green light.
Newcastle Borough Council leader Cllr Simon Tagg said: “I’m delighted with the decision, which is a victory for common sense.
“Our major concern was that a development of the size and scale would seriously damage businesses just a short distance away in Newcastle town centre.”
Deputy Leader Cllr Robin Studd added: “The borough council felt the Tesco proposal would have been a disaster for the future viability of our town centre.
“We’re already working hard with businesses who are feeling the impact of the recession.
“This development could have been the final nail in the coffin for many of them.”
