'One-quarter' of Whitchurch population against Tesco plan
The equivalent of a quarter of the population of Whitchurch has signed a petition calling on supermarket giant Tesco to scrap plans for an out-of-town store amid fears such a move would harm the vitality of the town centre.
The equivalent of a quarter of the population of Whitchurch has signed a petition calling on supermarket giant Tesco to scrap plans for an out-of-town store amid fears such a move would harm the vitality of the town centre.
Campaign group WH21, which wants a more sustainable town centre, has collected 2,600 names for its petition against the new superstore and petrol station at Edgeley Park.
Instead, campaigners want the retailer to consider redeveloping its existing store at White Lion Meadow in the town centre.
WH21 Campaigner Roger McMinn said following a recent public exhibition on Tesco's plans, residents' opposition to the scheme had been galvanised.
Tesco hailed the exhibition a success with a spokesman saying it had given the company a chance to clear up "misapprehension" about its proposals.
But Mr McMinn said the meeting did indeed clear up a lot of "misapprehension" with an independent poll at the door registering 90 per cent of visitors leaving being whole-heartedly against it.
