Fears over Shrewsbury Tesco expansion plan

Controversial plans to extend the size of Shrewsbury's Tesco Extra store could hurt independent businesses in nearby towns and villages, the Campaign to Protect Rural England has warned.

Tesco has applied for planning permission to extend its store in Harlescott, claiming the move will safeguard 420 jobs and lead to a number of part-time positions being created.

But Selby Martin, vice president of the CPRE's Shropshire branch, said that the viability of services currently operating within the store's catchment area could be put at risk should the scheme be approved.

In a letter to Shropshire Council planners, he said: "We have objected to all previous applications for increased sales area at Tesco's supermarket in Harlescott on the grounds that this would have an adverse impact on the viability of services in towns and villages within the store's catchment area, for example, shops, post offices and petrol stations, particularly in the area north of Harlescott. The same arguments apply in this application and we urge you to recommend refusal."

Another organisation which has come forward to oppose the plan is the Shrewsbury Civic Society, which warned further development of the Tesco store could result in an increase of empty shops in the town centre.

A letter from the organisation said: "The maintenance of Shrewsbury's town centre buildings, many of them listed, depends on the economic prosperity of the businesses housed within them. Empty shops are very harmful in this respect and we are in no doubt that an increased shopping offer out of town has an adverse impact on the town centre's economy."

A decision on whether the scheme can go ahead is due to be made in the next few weeks.