Tesco (Jo Swinson)

Tesco Milngavie

In December 2008 Tesco started consulting its customers a

nd local residents on new plans for an expanded store within the existing site.

The draft plan consists of a two storey store on the footprint of the current car park, under which would be space for 200 vehicles. Another 400 vehicles would be accommodated by building a decked car park on the site of the existing store.

View Tesco's information leaflet on the plans

View the location of the site here

Follow the progress of the planning application here

The proposal has generated a lot of discussion locally.

In Autumn 2009 I distributed surveys to every household in Milngavie to find out what you think about the proposals. I received an excellent response rate of over 17%.

You can also take the survey online here.

In March 2011, Tesco's appeal was rejected by a Scottish Government-appointed Reporter, but the supermarket have since submitted notice of their plans to put in a fresh planning application.

Latest News: We Like Milngavie's AGM and using consumer power to make Tesco listen

Following We Like Milngavie's recent AGM, I praised the efforts of the community group in bringing together local opposition to the redevelopment of Tesco Milngavie. You can read what I had to say after the AGM here. There was some discussion of how local people can go about putting pressure on Tesco, and one of the options discussed was a boycott - I commented further on this here.

Heritage Group publishes its submission to the community consultation

The Milngavie Heritage Centre Group have put out for circulation their report containing their objections to the Tesco expansion. The report can be read here, and explains why Tesco's previous planning application, driven by a scale totally disproportionate for the sensitive site, would have entailed 'major detractions from the heritage and the public realm' of Milngavie. The report firmly supports the scale and layout principles described in the community's document "A Store that's Right for Milngavie".

Tell Tesco we need a store that's right for Milngavie

I recently met with Tesco's Callum Ford, Development Executive, who will be taking the decision to board level, and Corporate Affairs Manager Gloria Coats. Disappointingly, Tesco seems to be standing firm in their desire to expand the store to double its current size - which highlights the need for local people to get in touch and tell Tesco what they think of the proposals.

You can read more about my meeting and see my comments here.

It is vital that local residents use their 'people power' to put pressure on Tesco. Please send your views on Tesco Milngavie's plans to community.line@tesco.net and copy the email to me at jo.swinson.mp@parliament.uk. Do mention if you are a customer, and whether you may be tempted to shop elsewhere if they impose a store that is wrong for Milngavie.

Test now for Tesco is listening to the community's concerns

At the beginning of June, I met Tesco's Corporate Affairs Manager for Scotland, Gloria Coats to ask for an assurance that Tesco would reach out and seek the views of the community. I encouraged them to hold a variety of consultation events, rather than pursuing the process in the same 'tokenistic' style as last time. Tesco said they would remain 'open-minded' to local people's views. Read more about my meeting here.

The meeting follows my letter to Gloria on 21/04/11, which you can view here - and see Gloria's reply here.

Community sets out 'a store that's right for Milngavie'

Community groups, including We Like Milngavie, have put together a list of the community's key concerns and pointers for Tesco on how to ensure their redeveloped store is appropriate for Milngavie.

You can view the document on We Like Milngavie's website here.

You can also read my comments here:

20/05/2011 - Community sets out a 'store that's right for Milngavie'

Tesco submit Proposal of Application Notice for latest redevelopment plans

Rather than consulting with local residents following the rejection of Tesco's expansion appeal, the supermarket submitted a Proposal of Application Notice in early April. The Notice moves forward the plans for the store's redevelopment and specifies Tesco's consultation process, but have failed to meaningfully engage with the community before drawing up their new plans. You can read my comments here:

11/04/2011 Tesco must hold genuine consultation with community on new Milngavie plans - Jo

I wrote to Tesco on 21/04/11 to express my concern about these moves. You can read the text of my letter here:

LINK

Tesco decision is a victory for Milngavie community

The Scottish Government appointed-Reporter, Trevor Croft, has decided to dismiss Tesco's expansion appeal and reject their plans.

The Reporter's statement highlighted the damaging visual impact the proposed store would have on the surrounding area, particularly on Woodburn Way and the Gavin's Mill conservation area.

This decision reflects the views of the Milngavie community throughout this process. You can read my full comments here:

18/03/11 Tesco decision is a victory for Milngavie community

Tesco appeal decision delayed

Today's target date for a decision on Tesco Milngavie's appeal of 7th March has not been met. The Scottish Government-appointed Reporter, Trevor Croft, is still looking into the case.

You can read my comment here:

07/03/11 Tesco appeal decision delayed

WLM closing submission and decision expected on 7^th March

Thank you to everyone who came along to the Tesco Milngavie expansion appeal public hearing and inquiry in the first week of February.

Following the appeal, the closing submissions are now in from all parties. We Like Milngavie's submission, which outlines the community group's objections in each of the three subject areas: design, retail and transport, can be viewed online at www.welikemilngavie.org/closing.pdf

The Reporter is now examining the evidence and has set a target date for a decision on the case of 7^th March 2011. This is subject to changes or delays, so I will endeavour to keep you informed - please check this page for updates.

Hearing/inquiry to last one week only

The Reporter now expects the hearing and inquiry to be completed within one week, rather than taking two weeks as originally planned.

For further information, please see:

01/02/11 Tesco Milngavie hearing and inquiry to last one week only

Disappointment over lack of local venue for hearing and inquiry

The hearing and inquiry, which will be held from 1-4th and 8-10th February, will now be held at Kessington Hall in Bearsden. Unfortunately, a booking that was made for Milngavie Town Hall fell through. You can read my comments here:

19/01/11 Local venue vital for Milngavie inquiry

Delivery of each party's statements

On 10th December, Tesco, the Council and We Like Milngavie delivered statements outlining each party's concerns regarding design, retail impact and transport.

You can read these here:

We Like Milngavie - Design statement

We Like Milngavie - Retail statement

We Like Milngavie - Transport statement

East Dunbartonshire Council

Tesco

Reporter to recommend public hearing

A Scottish Government Reporter, Trevor Croft, has been appointed to decide on Tesco's appeal for planning permission. He held a public meeting on 28th October to announce plans for a public inquiry into the case.

01/10/10 Reporter appointed to Tesco appeal

Mr Croft told the meeting that he was minded to hold a public hearing before the inquiry, scheduled for February 2011. Perhaps not surprisingly, Tesco are opposed to this idea. You can read my comments here:

03/11/10 Tesco oppose public hearing on Milngavie plans

Independent consultants criticise Tesco plans

Campaign group We Like Milngavie comission independent experts, Land Use Consultants, to make an assessment of Tesco's plans and whether or not they are in accordance with local planning rules.

Tesco has claimed that its plans would not have a negative impact on the surrounding landscape. The report, carried out by independent experts Land Use Consultants, refutes this claim.

The report has also found that a full Environmental Impact Assessment should have been submitted by Tesco along with the planning application.

Download the full report

You can read my comments here:

31/08/10 Independent report slams Tesco Milngavie plans

Tesco appeals Council decision

Disappointingly, Tesco has lodged an appeal against the planning board's decision to refuse its planning application. You can read my comments here:

21/07/10 Tesco to appeal planning refusal

This is despite my writing to them on two occassions since the planning board made their decision, urging them not to appeal the decision. You can read my letters here:

16/07/10 Milngavie ready to fight Tesco appeal, says Jo

19/04/10 Tesco must go back to the drawing board - Jo

You can also read Tesco's explanation of its grounds for appeal here:

Tesco's grounds for appeal

I have written to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals urging them to reject Tesco's appeal. You can read my letter here:

18/08/10 Jo slams 'unwanted and unnecessary' Tesco appeal

I will use this page to keep you updated of any developments.

Planning Board rejects Tesco plans

On 13th April 2010, East Dunbartonshire Council's planning board voted 12-5 to reject Tesco's planning application.

You can read my comments here:

14/04/10 Council rejects Tesco plans

Read the planning board's reasons for refusing the application

This comes just a week after planning officials recommended that the planning board should approve plans.

Read the planners' report here:

Planning officials' recommendations

Survey results

The results of my survey show that Milngavie residents are overwhelmingly opposed to the expansion of Tesco.

66% of respondents think the proposed height of the store is too high
56% do not approve of the proposed size of the new store
Most respondents believe the expansion is completely unnecessary and inappropriate for Milngavie, threatening local business, the atmosphere and style of the village, and increasing traffic
Many believe they will have difficulty shopping if the store closes down throughout the development and feel it is important that it stays open, particularly elderly people who may be less able to travel to other stores such as ASDA
Key issues for residents would be the new store's effect on other shops, its environmental impact and parking provision

Read the full report.

On 21st December I submitted the report to East Dunbartonshire Council, who are currently considering the planning application, and to the local Tesco headquarters. I will keep you updated as to their response.

Further information

Jo attends a protest organised by We Like Milngavie, February 2010

Photo from scotimages.com

Milngavie resident Eve Gilmore has started up a website to keep people informed of news on the planning proposals, called We Like Milngavie.

Visit 'We Like Milngavie'

Eve has also set up a steering group of Milngavie residents to campaign against the plans. The group met on 14th January, when I presented to them the results of my survey. Please see the links below for more information.

For more information on the plans please see the following local news stories:

30/11/08 Tesco announces massive expansion plans in Milngavie (Milngavie and Bearsden herald)

04/12/09 Milngavie Tesco plan sparks store wars (Milngavie and Bearsden Herald)

30/12/09 Monster Milngavie Tesco plans given the thumbs-down by the town (Milngavie & Bearsden Herald)

21/01/10 Milngavie meeting mauls monster Tesco move (Milngavie and Bearsden Herald)

03/03/10 Milngavie tenent opponents hold demonstration (Milngavie and Bearsden Herald)

12/03/10 Call for 3D models of proposed monster Tesco in Milngavie (Milngavie and Bearsden Herald)

12/04/10 Fresh fury at Tesco city plans (The Herald)

14/04/10 Tesco plan for store is blocked (The Herald)

15/04/10 Monster Milngavie Tesco plans are thrown out (Milngavie & Bearsden Herald)

12/08/10 Government must act on Milngavie Tesco plans (Milngavie and Bearsden Herald)

20/08/10 Could Tesco plans be run off the road? (Milngavie & Bearsden Herald)