Tesco 'surprised' as planning officers reject Tenbury Wells plans

Supermarket giant Tesco today said it was "surprised and disappointed" that planning officers had recommended proposals for a store in Tenbury Wells are thrown out.

The resubmitted plans for the store have been recommended for refusal by Malvern Hills District Council.

They are set to be discussed at a planning committee meeting at Tenbury High School at 6pm on Monday.

Sophie Akokhia, Tesco's corporate affairs manager, said: "We are clearly very sur prised and disappointed with the recommendation, not least because considerable effort has been made to develop a bespoke design in line with feedback from officers, local councillors, comm- unity groups and residents.

"The current design solution is also locally distinctive and a notable move away from the modern, standard store proposals submitted earlier this year. In addition, we are awaiting a letter from the Environment Agency to confirm that our plans will help minimise flood risk and link with the town's future flood defences.

"I am also pleased to confirm that Tesco is committed to investing substantial resources in a package of community benefits."

She added: "I very much hope that these investment and regeneration merits, as well as our pledge to create up to 150 local jobs, will be recognised at Monday's committee meeting."

The original plans for the 15,000 sq ft store, earmarked for the cattle market site in Tenbury Wells, were submitted to Malvern Hills District Council at the end of April.

They were withdrawn in July after Tesco hit a dead end in getting permission to demolish the Russell Baldwin & Bright building on the site.